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Identifying the abuse of older people
SPONSORED: GPs, clinicians, and health professionals play an important role in identifying and potentially preventing this abuse.
Around one in six older Australians experience abuse each year.
As a GP, you may be presented with opportunities to begin a conversation with an older person and empower them to reach out to support services.
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, released in December 2021, suggests that one in six older Australians experience abuse each year, and two thirds do not seek help when they experience abuse.
According to the study, people responsible for the abuse are often family members, and abuse of older people frequently stays hidden.
Defining the abuse of older people
Abuse of older people, also known as elder abuse, is a term used to describe a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, that occurs in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Abuse can take different forms: psychological, neglect, financial, physical or sexual. Often the person causing harm uses multiple types of abuse as a way of exerting their power, and it can continue over time.
Abuse of older people can occur between family, intimate partners and in non-family relationships, such as those involving friends, carers, professionals and neighbours.
Identifying abuse
Signs that could indicate an older person is experiencing abuse include:
- unhappiness, isolation or an unusual fear, worry or anxiety
- appearing unusually unkept or particularly hungry or thirsty
- unexplained injuries, bruises or cuts
There are also some characteristics or situations, known as risk factors, which are common among older people who experience abuse that should be considered when identifying if abuse is occurring.
These risk factors do not definitely indicate that someone is experiencing abuse, but there is a statistical association between the risk factor and the prevalence of abuse.
Understanding risk factors also helps to provide the right support and encourage and build protective factors. These include:
- poor mental health
- economic factors
- disability
- social isolation
- being dependent on someone for care or support
- family conflict or past experiences of trauma
- substance abuse
For more information, the RACGP has a detailed breakdown of identification and risk factors in a clinical setting.
Beginning the conversation
Every person’s experience will be different, and the older person may be reluctant to talk because someone they trust, or might rely upon for care, carries out the abuse.
Healthcare workers play an important role in having these conversations and helping to identify signs of abuse.
When assessing a patient for possible abuse, it’s important to ask questions when they are alone, gather information politely and non-intrusively, validate their feelings without judgement, and maintain confidentiality.
There are several questions you can ask to help identify if abuse is occurring. These include:
- Are you safe and comfortable at home?
- Has anyone asked you to do something you don’t want to do?
- Has anyone made you feel shamed or threatened?
You can consider using the
Elder Abuse Suspicion Index to support your conversation.
Help is available
It is important the community is aware of the support and tools available. There are actions you, a patient or a concerned community member can take:
- in an emergency, please call triple zero (000)
- talk to a trusted colleague, family member or local service provider
- visit www.compass.info to find out more information and learn about local services
- call 1800ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) for information or advice.
- call 13Yarn for a free, no judgement place to have a chat for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
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