This week I want to highlight work being done with Violence Free Waipā and Cambridge Community House around elder abuse.
You may have seen a television campaign recently aimed at educating people about elder abuse. In the next coming months, I am working with the aforementioned organisations to deliver a presentation to several community groups at highlight what elder abuse is, how to recognise it and who to approach for help and support.
In my time working in the Waikato, I have come across a few cases where older members of our society have been taken advantage of, predominately financially. In some of the cases, it was the banks who initially highlighted concern around their elderly customers.
On one occasion they noted large and regular withdrawals, facilitated by a family member or other person. In one case, a grandchild was fabricating stories of need concerning other family members, to emotionally manipulate her grandmother into giving her thousands of dollars at a time. Her grandmother’s regular financial ‘nest egg’ had almost disappeared over a three month period in this way.
In another case, an adult son was the primary carer for his elderly mother who had dementia. Over a period of time, he isolated her from family and friends and disposed of her assets without authority. He would regularly shout at and verbally abuse her. In addition, he would leave her unsupervised for long periods when she was unable to reliably care for herself. This behaviour was not reported by neighbours as they were fearful of the male. It was only a second family member who eventually raised the alarm.
A third case again involved a male taking advantage of an elderly person suffering from dementia. In this case he took on a role of doing odd jobs for the man around his rural property – but charging incredibly inflated prices – which the elderly man paid without question. The offender in this case was well aware of the elderly man’s dementia having initially come into contact with him through legitimate business.
Elder Abuse can be physical abuse, withholding of medication, intimidation, emotional manipulation and coercion, including around business matters or personal wills.
If you have concerns for a friend or relative, there are a few different organisations that can help.
You can call the Elder Abuse Response Service on 0800 32 668 65, text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz. You can also contact Age Concern Waikato on 07 838 2266 or email elderabuse3@ageconcern.gen.nz.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 111.
