Elder abuse continues to be a problem for the health services, with almost 2,500 incidents reported to the HSE last year, a new report indicates. The number of referrals of elder abuse, at 2,437, was down 1 per cent on the previous year, but overall the figure has increased 30 per cent since 2008.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/hse-reveals-campaign-of-cruelty-against-elderly-30553597.html
*More than 2,400 complaints of elder abuse were received by health chiefs last year, a 30% increase in six years.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/hse-reveals-campaign-of-cruelty-against-elderly-30553597.html
*More than 2,400 complaints of elder abuse were received by health chiefs last year, a 30% increase in six years.
The Health Service Executive said its hotlines saw a 1% fall in the number of reports, compared with 2012, but warned of a deepening crisis since records began in 2008.
Older people are most likely to suffer psychological abuse, its report stated, with 33% of all complaints related to emotional bullying, intimidation or harassment.
Health chiefs said most abuse is perpetrated by a family member — a son or daughter, as in 45% of complaints; while one fifth involved a partner, husband or wife; and 15% of complaints were linked to other relatives.
Just over a quarter of complaints related to financial abuse, 21% to neglect, and 14% to physical abuse.
The HSE’s sixth review of referrals of alleged abuse of older people recorded 2,437 cases, but more than 500 of these related to self-neglect.
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Frank Murphy, chairman of the national elder abuse steering committee, urged people to contact health professionals if they are concerned about loved ones or people for whom they are providing care.
“There is strong documentary evidence that a certain proportion of older people are at risk of being abused and it is vital that older people are protected from harm in the community and in residential settings,” he said. “We would encourage anyone who has a concern about abuse of an older person to contact their GP, public health nurse or any healthcare worker.”
The HSE said most referrals of suspected abuse come from public health nurses, with hospital staff and family the other major sources.
The report also revealed that two thirds of the alleged victims were women and there was a higher referral rate among the over-80 group compared to those aged 65-79. Men in the 65-74 bracket are more likely to be referred, while 55% of females referred are in the over-80 category, it said.
The HSE warned that elder abuse — described as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, causing harm or distress or violating their rights — can take place in any context.
It said elder abuse may occur when people live alone, in care homes, hospitals, home support services or when they are in public.
In 2013, 8,695 people attended elder abuse training/awareness programmes/sessions over the course of the year, an increase of over 2,000 on 2012. Just under half (44%) were HSE staff, while 34% came from the private sector and 22% from the voluntary and community sector.
If a person is being abused, or if someone is concerned about abuse, or suspect that someone they know is being abused, they should contact the HSE Information Line: 1850 24 1850. Alternatively, they can contact a health professional such as GP, public health nurse or social worker.
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According to the HSE’s annual review of its elder abuse services for 2013, when referrals of self-neglect are excluded there were 1,900 referrals to the HSE in 2013. Psychological abuse was the most common abuse reported at 33 per cent, followed by financial abuse (26 per cent), neglect (21 per cent) and physical abuse (14 per cent).
In line with previous years, the public health nursing service is the main source of referral, with hospital staff and family being the other major sources. In 27 per cent of cases, the concern first originated from families, while in 19 per cent it came from the older person.
Women were twice as likely as men to be the victim of alleged elder abuse, while referral rates for women increased with age. However, younger males – aged from 65 to 74 – were more likely to be referred.
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Most alleged abuse is perpetrated by a family member. Sons or daughters accounted for 45 per cent of cases, partners for 19 per cent, while other relatives were involved in 15 per cent of referrals.
Frank Murphy, chairman of the National Elder Abuse steering committee, urged anyone with a concern about abuse of an older person to contact their GP, public health nurse or any healthcare worker.
The HSE says that while most older people do not experience abuse, for those that do it can manifest in different ways. “Abuse can take place in any context; it may occur when an older person lives alone or with a relative, it may occur within residential or daycare settings, in hospitals, home-support services and other places assumed to be safe, or in public places.”
