He Manaakitanga Kaumatua Aotearoa

© 2016 Age Concern New Zealand

Always respected

Never abused

Age Concern Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services

AT A GLANCE

October 2015 – March 2016

This information has been taken from the full report that covers the 20 Age Concern EANP services contracted by MSD

ELDER ABUSE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

WHAT DID WE DO?We provide education and awareness, promoting respectful practices and ways to reduce the incidence of elder abuse.

3,376

As awareness increases, so does demand for intervention and education.

people

We held education sessions for

Providers of services for

older people

Policy analysts and strategic

planners

Students

Health providers

Aged care workers and

home support workers

“A Maori woman who was listening to a discussion on elder abuse later

rang the EANP service when she realised that she was being subjected to

abuse, that until then she had just accepted as part of life. She now shares

her new-found knowledge with other older women and they are taking

action within their community to raise awareness of elder abuse.”

We have held 168 public awareness activities to raise awareness of elder abuse and neglect, such as:

articles in newspapers and magazines

TV and radio broadcasts

social media expos and advertising campaigns

We work closely with older people and their families to resolve issues of abuse. We respond to each referral, assessing the older person’s situation then providing intervention and support.

Age Concern Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention services intervened in

1103 referrals received where abuse was suspected. family members

from health workers

7% from home support agencies and rest homes

from the older person themselves

from Police

from a friend or neighbour

899 cases of elder abuse.

22%

16%

18%

15%

11%

WHAT WE DO

HOW LONG HAS THE ABUSE BEEN GOING ON FOR?

WHO ARE THE ALLEGED ABUSERS?

WHAT SORT OF ABUSE WAS FOUND?

WHO ARE OUR CLIENTS?

WE RECEIVED REFERRALS FROM

CLIENT FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE INCREASED VULNERABILITY

To resolve issues of abuse, EANP staff work closely with other agencies such as health, legal and financial services as well as the whanau, police, counselling services and others to ensure a holistic approach that meets the needs of the older person

EXAMPLES OF WORKING WITH OTHERS TO END ABUSE

Working with the bank for a client, whose “friends” were emptying her bank account, to change bank account details so that others could not access her accounts

Working with the City Council to install a water supply for an elderly woman who had been living without water for over five years.

Supporting a client with dementia to move into rest home care when it was found that her husband, who was also her caregiver, was neglecting and physically abusing her.

Working with Police to recover money from prostitutes who had preyed on an elderly gentleman who was socially isolated and lonely, and had been charged exorbitant fees for their services. New accommodation was found for him and his dog where he had the company of other older people.

WORKING TOGETHER:

OUTCOME

89% of clients increased their wellbeing score, including safety from abuse.

Only 0.3% of clients had a decrease in their wellbeing score.

psychological

family members

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

77%

14%

Inadequate support

Cognitive impairment

Family violence, dynamic, dependency

Social isolation

Poor physical health

Financial stress/dependency

Poor mental health

Grief, loss, depression

Challenging behaviour, substance abuse

41%

39%

37%

36%

25%

17%

12%

10%

8%

48% 40%

18% partner

male adult child or their partner

living with the client

friend or neighbour

10

20

30

40

50

60

7080

46% aged 80+

49%aged 65-79

68% female

42% living alone36%

socially isolated

32% male 27%

living with

family13% living with a

partner

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

5% health care or

support worker

3-6 months

more than 2 years

less than 3 months

1-2 years

6-12 months

26%

26%19%

18%

11%female

76%

53%

20% 19% 19%

neglect

self-neglect

physical

financial

5% institutional

.8% sexual

50% 50%