Asking the hard questions about elder abuse
Written by Stephanie Crouch
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member, friend, or carer. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological, or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
It is estimated that one in six older Australians have experienced abuse, with only one-third of victims seeking help. Every day elder abuse increases, however, our awareness of it doesn’t.
Elder abuse is complex, so we sat down with Wills and Estate Planning Manager Michelle English to ask the hard questions.
Question: What are the signs that may indicate elder abuse?
Answer: Isolation is a big one. In my experience with customers who have fallen victim to elder abuse they are often on their own – usually divorced or widowed.
Customers making or updating documents like Wills or Power of Attorneys typically express fear as they are under duress from a younger family member. Three key signs for me are:
- Changes to Wills
- Significant bank withdrawals
- A disparity between living conditions and money
Question: Who commits elder abuse? Who are the abusers?
Answer: Elder abuse is typically carried out by someone close to an older person. In my experience it’s usually a direct family member, a family member by marriage or a neighbour.
Question: How can people work respectfully with older people?
Answer: I think the best thing anyone who works with older people can do is listen and ask questions. In the Wills and Estate Planning space asking questions is so important. Simple questions like, ‘how are things at home’ go a long way.
Some common misconceptions about ageing include the belief that older are unable to make decisions for themselves. When working with older people, it’s so important we challenge these misconceptions and protect and promote their choices, not the choices of those around them.
Question: What should I do if I think someone may be being abused?
Answer: Obviously your response to a situation of suspected or known abuse will depend on your positions and where you work, however, the basic responsibilities we all have are:
- Don’t ignore it.
- Gather information by asking questions.
- Contact emergency services if there is an immediate risk of harm.
Question: What are some of the ways people can protect themselves from elder abuse?
Answer: It is a good idea to have a Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship in place. These documents allow you to choose someone you trust to manage your financial, legal and health decisions if you no longer can.
Definitions
- Estate Planning
Preparing to protect and transfer assets after you pass away in the most financially efficient and tax effective way.