Elder Abuse
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is 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. (WHO 2022)
Why Elder Abuse Matters?
Addressing elder abuse is becoming more urgent, especially as populations in Australia grow older. This issue is often hidden, under-reported, complex, and can cause serious harm. As of June 2020, around 16% of Australia’s population was aged 65 and over, and it is expected to increase to about 23% by 2060-61.
Australia’s overall elder abuse prevalence rate is 14.8%, with prevalence rates slightly higher for women than men.
2021 AIFS National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study
Recognising signs of Elder Abuse
Signs of elder abuse include physical injuries (like unexplained bruises or cuts), emotional shifts (such as depression or anxiety), neglect (such as poor hygiene or untreated medical conditions), and financial issues (like unusual bank activity or sudden document changes).
Older individuals may also withdraw, seem fearful, or struggle to speak up.
Physical signs
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, cuts, burns, or scars
- Injuries that appear to be from restraints
- Changes in personal hygiene or dirty clothing
- Untreated medical issues
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
Emotional and behavioural signs
- Appearing fearful, anxious, depressed, or withdrawn
- Becoming irritable or easily upset
- Losing interest in usual activities
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Being reluctant to speak or answer questions for them
- Avoiding eye contact or recoiling from touch
- Expressing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Financial signs
- Sudden or unexpected changes in financial status
- Unexplained bank withdrawals or transfers
- Changes to wills, power of attorney, or property titles without explanation
- Not being able to afford necessities
- Missing possessions or legal documents
Other signs to watch for
- A sudden change in living arrangements
- A person being taken to the bank or ATM by someone else to withdraw money
- Confusion over who is paying for what expenses
- Not having access to necessary aids like glasses or hearing aids
What to do if you suspect there’s elder abuse?
If you’re worried an older person may be experiencing abuse, it’s essential to act quickly and protect their wellbeing.
At Carrington, caring for older Australians is at the heart of who we are. If you have concerns about someone in our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help.
Where to get help?
1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) is the National Elder Abuse phone line. 1800ELDERHelp automatically redirects callers seeking information or advice on elder abuse to their state or territory phone line service.
Lifeline Australia (13 11 14) provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services to people experiencing emotional distress.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can also access local support services and search the internet using Daisy, a free app that protects user privacy.
OPAN can provide independent and confidential information to older people experiencing abuse or neglect within the aged care system.
Our staff can also provide information on identifying and preventing abuse in Residential Aged Care, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Community settings.