Family secrets: Confronting elder abuse
VERNA Halsey is using Domestic and Family Violence month to highlight the often forgotten members of society: senior citizens.
As Lifeline’s Older Persons Programs co-ordinator for Central Queensland, Mrs Halsey has a unique perspective into the lives of the elderly in our community, sharing their joy and, all too often, their pain.
"The statistics say that five per cent of the population over the age of 60 are victims of elder abuse, however I believe it could be as high as 25 per cent," Mrs Halsey said.
"Mostly elder abuse occurs in the home, with the perpetrator being a family member.
"More often than not it is a son who abuses his mother; however that is not to say that other situations don’t exist."
Mrs Halsey explained that in her experience the abuse was in a financial or psychological form.
"The perpetrators just think they are getting an advance on their inheritance when they take money from their parents, but people need to realise it’s not theirs until their parents are gone," Mrs Halsey said.
Elder abuse is not confined to the more populated regions and Mrs Halsey admitted the problem was affecting many senior citizens in regional Queensland.
"Just last year I put in a complaint about a nursing staff member who was mistreating an elderly patient in one of region’s hospitals," she said.
"The abuse is happening and it is out there."
One of way to stop abuse is to encourage the elderly to defend their rights, and to get in touch with people that can help.
"Sometimes they think that their situation is the norm or don’t want to admit their child is violating them.
"There are many variants to elder abuse, with the solution lying in exposure of the problem."
Mrs Halsey now hopes to further inform elderly people of their rights and is able to offer training in organisations or to be a guest speaker and can be contacted on 4922 3876.
People experiencing abuse can contact the Elder Abuse helpline on 1300 651 192 from Monday to Friday, during business hours.
As Lifeline’s Older Persons Programs co-ordinator for Central Queensland, Mrs Halsey has a unique perspective into the lives of the elderly in our community, sharing their joy and, all too often, their pain.
"The statistics say that five per cent of the population over the age of 60 are victims of elder abuse, however I believe it could be as high as 25 per cent," Mrs Halsey said.
"Mostly elder abuse occurs in the home, with the perpetrator being a family member.
"More often than not it is a son who abuses his mother; however that is not to say that other situations don’t exist."
Mrs Halsey explained that in her experience the abuse was in a financial or psychological form.
"The perpetrators just think they are getting an advance on their inheritance when they take money from their parents, but people need to realise it’s not theirs until their parents are gone," Mrs Halsey said.
Elder abuse is not confined to the more populated regions and Mrs Halsey admitted the problem was affecting many senior citizens in regional Queensland.
"Just last year I put in a complaint about a nursing staff member who was mistreating an elderly patient in one of region’s hospitals," she said.
"The abuse is happening and it is out there."
One of way to stop abuse is to encourage the elderly to defend their rights, and to get in touch with people that can help.
"Sometimes they think that their situation is the norm or don’t want to admit their child is violating them.
"There are many variants to elder abuse, with the solution lying in exposure of the problem."
Mrs Halsey now hopes to further inform elderly people of their rights and is able to offer training in organisations or to be a guest speaker and can be contacted on 4922 3876.
People experiencing abuse can contact the Elder Abuse helpline on 1300 651 192 from Monday to Friday, during business hours.
posted by dr mcgillicudy's cudsong at 11:37 AM
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