Report to the People
14th March 2005
Elder Abuse
In common with what seems like most of
Greenock, I spent last week floored by that particularly nasty bug which seems
to be all the rage at the moment.
If
every cloud has a silver lining, though, a few days of feeling rotten and being
unable to get out of bed does make you appreciate your health.
It also helps you imagine the difficulties faced by those for whom
infirmity is more than a brief, occasional inconvenience.
If
you have become frail through old age or long-term illness, you are, for
example, less able to defend yourself against abuse or exploitation.
Indeed, it is estimated that 1 in 10 older people in the UK will suffer
from some form of abuse. This can
range from physical or psychological mistreatment by carers, to neglect, to
whoever collects your pension skimming a few pounds off the top for themselves.
While,
by it’s very nature, the scope of the problem is difficult to ascertain, Age
Concern Scotland says that calls to the Scottish Helpline for Older People
suggest that 70% of abuse occurs in your own home.
The
good news, however, is that Age Concern has published a new guide, detailing
what you can do to reduce the risk of abuse and what to do if you, or someone
you know, is being abused.
If you are concerned about elder abuse, or want a copy of the new guide, contact the Scottish Helpline for Older People on 0845 125 9732.
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