The realities of elder abuse
2013
This chapter considers the position of vulnerable older people who
are abused within the UK, and the legislative and policy approaches
taken to protect them. Neglect and mistreatment of older people in
the UK are not rare events, but have not received much attention,
either from the public or statutory agencies. Despite growing
concerns there has been no prevalence study to quantify the extent
or impact of elder abuse and the only source of information is the
helpline operated by ‘Action on Elder Abuse’. Within the UK, nations
are at different stages in developing protective measures. England
and Wales have encouraged multi-agency strategies targeted toward
all vulnerable adults, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have yet
to initiate legislative processes. Generally, abused older people are
predominantly women over the age of 70 years old, living alone at
home, although there is a disproportionate level of abuse within care
homes. Abusers tend to be male, either paid staff or family members,
but are rarely the ‘hands on’ family carer. The most prevalent abuses
are psychological, financial and physical (Fitzgerald 2004). Moreovoer,
there is a low expectation of standards of care, human rights and the
status of older people within the UK and this contributes to elder
abuse. All of society is affected by this, including Governments who
are pragmatic toward protective legislation; providers who routinely
fail to deliver quality care; and older people who accept poor
standards without complaint. This chapter draws from the work of
the charity, Action on Elder Abuse, which has operated across thefour nations of the UK since 1993, and in particular the data obtained
through the Elder Abuse Response Helpline.
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