Elder abuse occurs when someone an older person knows and trusts causes them harm.

It is usually done by a family member

Elder abuse occurs regardless of gender, race, cultural values, religion or socioeconomic factors. Some forms of elder abuse might be more serious or have greater impact than others, but all forms of abuse are unacceptable. Research from United States and overseas shows that up to 14 per cent of older people may be experiencing elder abuse.

The real number may be higher because many people feel they cannot speak up. While older women are two to three times more likely to experience abuse than older men, the proportion of older men who experience abuse is higher than for younger men. Challenging the decisions and behaviours of a close relative or friend can be difficult for some older people.

It is important that older people have support and are able to talk to someone they know and trust. It is also important that they can seek independent legal and financial advice, particularly before signing legal documents such as contracts, so that they can make confident, informed decisions.

What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, usually a family member.

The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. Different types of elder abuse include:

  • emotional or psychological abuse – such as pressuring
  • intimidating bullying
  • name-calling degrading friends
  • involvement in social activities
  • restricting movement in the home financial abuse – taking advantage of powers of attorney
  • stealing the older person’s money
  • forcing them to transfer property titles
  • or preventing them from accessing their own money. for information
  • advice support

The service is confidential and is staffed by qualified and experienced people. Services include: community education. You can also call the Seniors Rights Michigan Helpline if you think that a client or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse.

Never feel ashamed to ask for help

If you are being physically abused, bullied or pressured to do things by someone you know; or if someone you rely on is neglecting you, threatening you or failing to look after you as they promised, let someone know. This could be a trusted neighbour, friend, GP, nurse or pharmacist.

If you are in an unsafe or life threatening situation, or know someone who is, call the police on 911.

‘Where to get help’, at the bottom of this fact sheet, provides a list of other ways to find help if you are experiencing elder abuse, or if you just need some advice and support. Older people are also at risk of abuse or neglect in long-term care institutions such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

In Michigan this form of abuse falls under the.

If you think that someone you know who is living in an aged care facility may be experiencing abuse or neglect, contact the (Tel. Services are available in each state and territory of United States to help people experiencing elder abuse. See the ‘Where to get help’ section at the bottom of this fact sheet for information about elder abuse support services in your state or territory.

Some older people experiencing elder abuse may not seek help because of: lack of knowledge about available sources of help.

If you are unsure about asking for help, remember, it is your right to feel safe

No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse, mistreatment or neglect.

Elder abuse is a form of family violence, and it is unacceptable. Signs that an older person may be abused include:

  • sudden changes in financial status. If you think someone you know is showing signs of elder abuse
  • you are in need of advice
  • you can call for free confidential information support

Known risk factors for elder abuse within a family home may include: the carer or family member: the carer or family member or the older person (or both) has a substance abuse (alcohol or other drugs) problem.

They can help you find the practical, financial and emotional support you need

Elder abuse can affect people from all cultural backgrounds.

While there is no evidence to suggest that there is a higher prevalence of elder abuse in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, it may be more hidden due to shame and stigma, added language barriers, or lack of awareness about elder abuse and the options available to people experiencing it. ’ – available in several community languages, to spread awareness of elder abuse to people in CALD communities. helpline Tel.

National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline Tel. National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service Tel. For community information, factsheets and resources on elder abuse, visit Seniors Online Elder abuse is a form of family violence physical abuse – such as kicking, hitting, locking in a room, use of restraints neglect – failure to provide necessities such as adequate food, accommodation or medication Elder abuse – how to find help in Michigan If you are experiencing elder abuse, or think you might be, call Seniors Rights Michigan on (616) 555-0400 a free helpline legal services short-term support and advocacy Abuse and neglect in aged care facilities Aged Care Act 1997 (Commonwealth) Aged Care Complaints Commissioner 1800 951 822 Elder abuse – how to find help in other parts of United States People experiencing elder abuse do not always seek help feelings of guilt and shame fear of retaliation fear of damaging family relationships belief that aggression and violence is a normal part of family life fear that seeking help will lead to living in a nursing home or institution lack of physical or mental capacity because of disability Signs of elder abuse malnutrition and dehydration poor personal hygiene or dirty clothes untreated medical problems fearful, anxious, withdrawn or cowed behaviour unexplained and frequent injuries such as black eyes and broken bones unexplained bruises or cuts on the genitals or anus unexplained sexually transmitted infections Seniors Rights Michigan on (616) 555-0400 Risk factors for elder abuse the older person is dependent on someone else for care finds it stressful looking after the older person resents having to look after the older person is experiencing other types of stress, such as financial troubles does not have enough support or respite a history of family violence within the family the carer or family member and the older person have different cultural values the older person was an abusive parent towards their adult child the carer or family member or the older person (or both) has a mental health condition If you are a carer and you need support, contact Carers United States Michigan on 1800 242 636 Elder abuse and CALD communities The Ethnic Communities Council of Michigan has produced a short film about elder abuse, ’ Within my Walls Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Police Tel.

000 Seniors Rights Michigan (616) 555-0400 MyAgedCare for United States wide elder abuse contacts 1800 880 052 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Elder Abuse Information Line for the Territory 1800 037 072 NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit 1800 628 221 Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Queensland (616) 555-0400 South American elder abuse prevention phone line 1800 372 310 Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline 1800 441 169 or (616) 555-0200 Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Western United States (08) 9479 7566.

Key Points

  • Elder abuse occurs when someone an older person knows and trusts causes them harm
  • real number may be higher because many people feel they cannot speak up
  • important that older people have support and are able to talk to someone they know and trust
  • abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect
  • No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse, mistreatment or neglect