New help for victims of elder abuse
The recent sentencing of an Auckland woman for fleecing her aged father of his life savings reinforces the urgent need to intervene to change older people’s lives and provide services that keep them safe from elder abuse.
When WWII veteran Ron Greenhalgh died last year his life savings and the money for his funeral were gone, frittered away at the TAB by his daughter Carolyn Alleyne. Branded ’’cold, callous, heartless and cruel’’ by her brother, Alleyne is now serving 10 months home detention following convictions for theft by a person in a special relationship.
This example and other sickening cases, combined with our ageing population, means a different approach is needed. Effective and accessible help and intervention needs to be available wherever and whenever victims need it. This is why the Government has this month launched a new service to intervene to help protect vulnerable older New Zealanders, with increased funding. There will be a wider geographical spread of service providers to help more at risk elderly people than ever before.
The service is available in each region through organisations that have been selected specifically based on their ability to deliver an effective intervention service for our vulnerable older people. The Ministry of Social Development ran a rigorous procurement and tendering process, with applications being assessed by an independent panel.
The cornerstone of the new service Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) is a free and confidential 24/7 help-line, 0800 32 668 65 (0800 EA NOT OK). Registered nurses will be on the other end of the phone to listen and advise anyone who needs information or support about elder abuse – whether they are the victim or someone who is concerned it might be happening to a friend or family member. Callers will then be referred to their local elder abuse services to get the help they need.
MSD’s SuperSeniors Champions, including Taranaki’s own Lance Girling-Butcher, are adding their voices to help spread the word and encourage people to speak out and ask for advice and help about elder abuse.
They are a group of influential, articulate advocates for positive ageing.
All seniors deserve to be treated with respect, with dignity and with care, whatever their background or circumstances.
Older New Zealanders should be able to trust their families and those close to them but the sad reality is that 79% of those who report elder abuse are harmed by family members and 43% of victims live with their abuser. 59% of seniors are disabled in some way and they, along with the wider disabled community, are vulnerable to abuse.
The message is clear: ‘‘Elder Abuse is not OK. If you see abuse, please speak out against it.
WRITE TO US
We welcome letters to the editor, 250 words or less preferred. Published at the sole discretion of the editor and they may be edited. Include your address and phone number (not for publication). Send to Taranaki Star, 96 Collins St, 4610 or PO Box 428, Hawera or email to star@dailynews.co.nz. Deadline: Fridays 4pm.