THE HIDDEN HARM OF ELDER ABUSE: THE JOURNAL OF THE HEALTH VISITORS' ASSOCIATION

A third of UK citizens think that domestic violence directed towards older people isn't abuse. Here, Gray suggests that the present lockdown environment for older people looks increasingly concerning. Hourglass, the only UK charity dedicated to ending the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people defines the abuse of older people as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. The Hourglass helpline receives daily accounts of financial, psychological, sexual, physical and domestic abuse, as well as neglect. Victims suffer multiple and interacting forms of abuse. While it is Hourglass' belief that real and lasting change will only be achieved through facilitating a priority shift at the highest level whereby the rights of older people are protected in legislation, there are practical measures already at its disposal to protect older adults from crime and abuse. These include: specialized emergency shelters;multidisciplinary teams;educational campaigns;and caregiver support interventions.