Elder abuse is truly alive and well in today’s society and across many industry sectors. It is estimated that one in 10 adults, aged 60 and over, are abused, neglected or financially exploited.

An article in the Journal of Gerontology, 2013 entitled; Elder Abuse and Psychological Well-Being, mentions that elder abuse and psychological distress are both important geriatric syndromes and are independently associated with premature morbidity and mortality. According to researchers Acierno, Hernandez and Amstadter elder abuse is a multifaceted and pervasive public health issue which includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse, financial exploitation and neglect (caregiver neglect). It is estimated that only a fraction of elder abuse cases actually come to the attention of adult protective services.

The National Institute on Aging in the US highlights that most victims are older women, but some are men, who have no family or friends nearby as well as people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia. Abuse also can happen to those who depend on others for help with every day activities This is especially a concern for those older people who are frail who would be easy victims or targets.

Elder abuse is at times difficult to see but there are warnings that could possibly indicate the elder person may be showing signs of distress either verbally or non-verbally. The NIA also states that a person may notice that the elderly person may be having trouble sleeping. Seems depressed or confused. Loses weight for no reason. Displays signs of trauma by rocking back and forth. Acts agitated or violent. Becomes withdrawn. Stops taking part in activities they usually enjoy. Has unexplained bruises or wounds. Looks messy, especially as related to hygiene and develops bed sores or other preventable conditions.

The New York City Elder Abuse Centre makes mention that abused elders are 300 per cent more likely to die a premature death than their non-abused counterparts. To compound this situation not only in NYC but all of the US, older adults are not routinely screened for mental health problems or elder abuse in many traditional and non-traditional settings where elders are already receiving services such as GP’s practices, senior centres, social and medical adult day care programs, home health services and case management programs.

In a large study on, ‘Elder abuse as a risk factor for psychological distress among older adults in India’, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) 2017, research was conducted using a sample of 9589 adults aged 60 and above. The overall psychological distress among persons aged 60 and over was 40 per cent. Among those older persons who experienced some form of physical or emotional abuse or violence, psychological distress was much higher than that in the general older population or 61 per cent.

Here in Australia, research conducted by Bagshaw, Wendt, Zannettino, and Adams (2013), examined 209 service providers on the risk factors for elder financial abuse, and the concerns of 114 older people and their family members about financial abuse. Six risk factors were identified: a family member having a strong sense of entitlement to an older person's property or possessions (84 per cent); an older person having diminished capacity (82 per cent); an older person being dependent on a family member for care (81 percent); a family member having a drug or alcohol problem (73 per cent); an older person feeling frightened of a family member (73 per cent); and an older person lacking awareness of his or her rights and entitlements (72 per cent).

Anthony Perrone is college counsellor at Trinity Anglican College. The views expressed are Dr Perrone's and not necessarily those of Trinity Anglican College.