Call to protect elderly

Coroner urges changes to address growing concern

The neglect of Mrs Mackozdi’s health and her financial exploitation over an extended period by family members whom she trusted, falls within the definition of elder abuse

— OLIVIA McTAGGART

ELDER abuse is of increasing concern as the Tasmanian population ages, but has not been given the same “public health priority” as other forms of violence, a coroner has said.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart made a series of recommendations aimed at protecting elderly Tasmanians from abuse when she handed down her findings yesterday into the death of Janet Lois Mackozdi, 77, at Mt Lloyd in July 2010.

Mrs Mackozdi, who was frail, underweight, and suffered from dementia, died of hypothermia after being put to bed in a draughty, uninsulated shipping container on July 23.

She was living with her daughter, Jassy Anglin, son-inlaw Michael Anglin, and their three youngest children.

The temperature was estimated to have been between -1.0 and 2.9C inside the shipping container on the night Mrs Mackozdi died.

“In my view, the neglect of Mrs Mackozdi’s health and her financial exploitation over an extended period by family members whom she trusted, falls within the definition of elder abuse,” Ms McTaggart said.

She said elder abuse was a matter of “increasing concern” for the community as the Tasmanian population ages.

“Despite its apparent prevalence, elder abuse has not achieved the same public health priority as other forms of violence,” she said.

Ms McTaggart said Mrs Mackozdi moved to Tasmania in October 2007, and lived independently until she had a serious fall in June 2009. She was also diagnosed with dementia.

After her release from hospital and subsequent respite care, Mrs Mackozdi was discharged into the care of her daughter.

“I accept that there were benefits for Mrs Mackozdi from being with her family. However, her arrival in Tasmania can be viewed against a background of emotional control exerted over her by Mrs Anglin for many years previously, primarily involving threats to prevent her from seeing her grandchildren,” Ms McTaggart said.

“I am in no doubt that Mrs Anglin did spend time and energy caring for her mother, although she did so alone and with no adequate medical planning or home support. … Mrs Mackozdi did not receive adequate care from Mr and Mrs Anglin and declined in her cognitive state and physical health because of that fact,” she said.

“Her physical condition, including the loss of almost one third of her already low body weight, contributed to her death from hypothermia,” she said.

“The decision not to place Mrs Mackozdi into residential care and the decision not to have any outside services involved with her care were influenced by the fact that she was a source of money.”

Ms McTaggart’s recommendations included: A REVIEW of legislation to ensure it effectively prevents or responds to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older people. CONSIDERATION of an independent body that is appropriately empowered and resourced to deal with complaints, investigations, education and oversight of elder abuse, or enhancing the powers of the Public Guardian Office to do so. A RENEWED elder abuse prevention plan be developed by the State Government as a matter of priority.

On April 13, 2015, after pleas of guilty, Mrs Anglin and Michael Anglin were convicted of manslaughter. Each were sentenced to two years’ jail, wholly suspended for two years.