‘Hidden scandal’ of spike in lockdown abuse of OAPs

THE number of elderly people abused by relatives or carers has risen by up to 37 per cent during lockdown, official figures show, as campaigners demand “powers of entry” to protect victims in their homes.

Victim Support said it had seen a 17 per cent increase in reports of domestic violence against people aged 65 or over, while Hourglass, the elder abuse charity, said calls from victims had risen by 30 per cent during lockdown.

Hourglass, which runs the national helpline for elderly abuse, said reports of neglect were up by 37 per cent – with particular issues in care homes, which have suffered in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity said it had heard cases of elderly people being negligently exposed to the virus, left unfed, moved from one home to another without consultation and cut off from phone contact with relatives. Cases in personal homes have included a serious assault by a daughter on a parent.

It said elderly abuse was a “hidden” scandal as older people were often reluctant to report “loved ones” or carers, for fear they could be forced out of their home and were from a generation that “don’t want to cause trouble.” Age Concern estimates only one in 24 elderly victims report their abuse.

The charity is calling for social services and similar agencies to be given “powers of entry” to allow them into homes to investigate elderly abuse allegations as happens in cases of child and animal abuse.

Richard Robinson, Hourglass’s chief executive, said: “If you saw a dog being abused in a garden and reported it to the RSPCA, they would have powers to investigate. We are talking about mothers, fathers and grandparents, but there’s no power of entry.”

The Scottish government introduced such a power in its domestic abuse legislation and the charity is urging MPs to consider extending it south of the border by amending the current domestic abuse bill before Parliament.

Mr Robinson said elderly abuse had barely earned a mention during the bill’s second reading yet “for elderly people the scar left by abuse can lead to their deaths.”

Among those who have contacted Hourglass was Katherine, who was concerned about her aunt Susan’s welfare. Her care home manager had failed to follow guidance, including allowing new residents to move in without testing or a quarantine period, while staff were not permitted to self-isolate, despite showing coronavirus symptoms.

“Katherine told us that some of the staff had confessed they felt helpless, but did not want to go against the manager’s orders as they were scared of losing their jobs,” said Mr Robinson.

The charity has received an emergency £60,000 from Government to help maintain the helpline, but he warned it only had enough money for another three months before it would have to raid its contingency fund.

Dame Vera Baird, the Victims’ Commissioner, said: “Older people have been let down by what has happened in care homes during the pandemic. We must not let them down again by failing to help those suffering in the very places they should be safe. It is crucial that elder abuse is incorporated into the domestic abuse awareness campaign, so people are aware, are able to recognise the signs, and are encouraged to report concerns.”