There is help for those suffering with elder abuse

Dear Sir,

Thursday, June 15, was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, aimed at focusing global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of older people. This year’s theme was ‘Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue’.

Family abuse is the type most frequently reported to Senior Help Line who will support a caller at risk. The situation is complicated as the abuser can sometimes be the older person’s carer, and the older person typically wants the relationship to continue, but the abuse to stop.

Volunteers are trained to support the caller in discussing options, such as who they may tell in safety – such as a family member, friend, neighbour, Community Health Nurse or other professional. Callers are also supported to discuss what other action they may wish to take such as reporting the situation to the HSE or Garda.

There are now a number of helpful organisations available to older people at risk. Senior Help Line and Sage Support & Advocacy are both programmes of Third Age, the national voluntary organization promoting the health and wellbeing of older people in Ireland.

‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults at Risk of Abuse’ is a HSE service designed to protect older people. It includes a Safeguarding Team in each Community Healthcare Area, (nine in total). Senior Help Line has the name and telephone number of each member of the national Safeguarding Team and can provide these to callers.

HSE Information Line 1850 24 1850, the line is open from Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm.

A new support number has been established by the National Safeguarding Office 061461358 Sage Helpline 1850 71 94 00 Senior Help Line is open every day of the year from 10am to 10 pm LoCall 1850 440 444.

Third Age