OFFERING HELP: Age Concern Kaitaia manager Glenis Hill.
"A lot of the abusers are family member or members of the extended family and the abused person finds it difficult to lay a complaint.
"They feel embarrassed or ashamed because the person is a part of their family and they are frightened of the repercussions," Glenis says.
"Some people think that because someone is old, they don’t matter.
"They take their money, isolate them, make decisions without even asking, and pressure them into things they don’t want to do like giving a ‘loan’, or letting family move in for free."
Psychological or emotional abuse can range from threatening and intimidating the person to treating the older person like a child, yelling at them when angry or stressed and isolating them from family, friends and regular activities – either by force or threats or through manipulation.
Verbal abuse is one of the worst ways of being hurt – it stays with people for a very long time.
It can make an older person feel scared, depressed or like they can’t do anything for themselves any more –they lose confidence and don’t feel good about themselves.
They may stop caring for themselves, get sick and lose interest in living.
It is advised not to put an older person in a more vulnerable position by confronting the abuser unless the older person has given their permission and they can be helped to get to a safe place immediately if needed.
Due to confidentiality Glenis couldn’t share some of the harrowing situations she’s been involved with, but says it’s important that people seek help.
"Age Concern Kaitaia wants people to know that elder abuse is not okay," Glenis says.
"We want people to know that older people in our community are being abused, and we want them to know that help is available.
"We want to continue to build elder abuse and neglect prevention services here in the Far North, so that our older people can hold their heads up and know that this community values them and is there to support them."
For help or information visit Age Concern Kaitaia at 101 Commerce St or call 408-2997.
Ad Feedback Elder abuse does happen
- An 80-year-old woman has alzheimers disease. She continually wanders and needs supervision.
Her daughter becomes stressed and ties her mother in a chair for several hours at a time.
- An 85-year-old man lives with his unemployed son. His son needs money and cashes his father’s superannuation for his personal use.
- A 73-year-old woman has severe arthritis and needs help with her shopping. Her niece helps but she regularly puts her own groceries on her aunt’s Eftpos card too – after all times are hard. This leaves no money for the woman’s doctor’s visit and pain-relief medicine.
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July 29, 2009
NEW ZEALAND: Older people living in fear of their families
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KAITAIA, Northland / Northern News / July 29, 2009
By Kim Reed - Northern News
"Respect your elders" may be a widely known phrase but isn’t always put into practice.
Seventy to 80 percent of elder abuse and neglect in New Zealand occurs at the hands of family members according to Age Concern.
Age Concern Kaitaia manager Glenis Hill says it’s not just related to the Far North, it crosses all ethnic boundaries and people need to be aware that it is happening.
OFFERING HELP: Age Concern Kaitaia manager Glenis Hill.
"A lot of the abusers are family member or members of the extended family and the abused person finds it difficult to lay a complaint.
"They feel embarrassed or ashamed because the person is a part of their family and they are frightened of the repercussions," Glenis says.
"Some people think that because someone is old, they don’t matter.
"They take their money, isolate them, make decisions without even asking, and pressure them into things they don’t want to do like giving a ‘loan’, or letting family move in for free."
Psychological or emotional abuse can range from threatening and intimidating the person to treating the older person like a child, yelling at them when angry or stressed and isolating them from family, friends and regular activities – either by force or threats or through manipulation.
Verbal abuse is one of the worst ways of being hurt – it stays with people for a very long time.
It can make an older person feel scared, depressed or like they can’t do anything for themselves any more –they lose confidence and don’t feel good about themselves.
They may stop caring for themselves, get sick and lose interest in living.
It is advised not to put an older person in a more vulnerable position by confronting the abuser unless the older person has given their permission and they can be helped to get to a safe place immediately if needed.
Due to confidentiality Glenis couldn’t share some of the harrowing situations she’s been involved with, but says it’s important that people seek help.
"Age Concern Kaitaia wants people to know that elder abuse is not okay," Glenis says.
"We want people to know that older people in our community are being abused, and we want them to know that help is available.
"We want to continue to build elder abuse and neglect prevention services here in the Far North, so that our older people can hold their heads up and know that this community values them and is there to support them."
For help or information visit Age Concern Kaitaia at 101 Commerce St or call 408-2997.
Ad Feedback Elder abuse does happen
- An 80-year-old woman has alzheimers disease. She continually wanders and needs supervision.
Her daughter becomes stressed and ties her mother in a chair for several hours at a time.
- An 85-year-old man lives with his unemployed son. His son needs money and cashes his father’s superannuation for his personal use.
- A 73-year-old woman has severe arthritis and needs help with her shopping. Her niece helps but she regularly puts her own groceries on her aunt’s Eftpos card too – after all times are hard. This leaves no money for the woman’s doctor’s visit and pain-relief medicine.
[rc]
OFFERING HELP: Age Concern Kaitaia manager Glenis Hill.
"A lot of the abusers are family member or members of the extended family and the abused person finds it difficult to lay a complaint.
"They feel embarrassed or ashamed because the person is a part of their family and they are frightened of the repercussions," Glenis says.
"Some people think that because someone is old, they don’t matter.
"They take their money, isolate them, make decisions without even asking, and pressure them into things they don’t want to do like giving a ‘loan’, or letting family move in for free."
Psychological or emotional abuse can range from threatening and intimidating the person to treating the older person like a child, yelling at them when angry or stressed and isolating them from family, friends and regular activities – either by force or threats or through manipulation.
Verbal abuse is one of the worst ways of being hurt – it stays with people for a very long time.
It can make an older person feel scared, depressed or like they can’t do anything for themselves any more –they lose confidence and don’t feel good about themselves.
They may stop caring for themselves, get sick and lose interest in living.
It is advised not to put an older person in a more vulnerable position by confronting the abuser unless the older person has given their permission and they can be helped to get to a safe place immediately if needed.
Due to confidentiality Glenis couldn’t share some of the harrowing situations she’s been involved with, but says it’s important that people seek help.
"Age Concern Kaitaia wants people to know that elder abuse is not okay," Glenis says.
"We want people to know that older people in our community are being abused, and we want them to know that help is available.
"We want to continue to build elder abuse and neglect prevention services here in the Far North, so that our older people can hold their heads up and know that this community values them and is there to support them."
For help or information visit Age Concern Kaitaia at 101 Commerce St or call 408-2997.
Ad Feedback Elder abuse does happen
- An 80-year-old woman has alzheimers disease. She continually wanders and needs supervision.
Her daughter becomes stressed and ties her mother in a chair for several hours at a time.
- An 85-year-old man lives with his unemployed son. His son needs money and cashes his father’s superannuation for his personal use.
- A 73-year-old woman has severe arthritis and needs help with her shopping. Her niece helps but she regularly puts her own groceries on her aunt’s Eftpos card too – after all times are hard. This leaves no money for the woman’s doctor’s visit and pain-relief medicine.
[rc]
