Breaking the silence on elder abuse: Report cases and support vulnerable seniors this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

“Don’t keep it under wraps” . . . that is the message from Age Concern Tairāwhiti chairman John McElhinney when it comes to elder abuse. He is pictured with Age Concern Tairawhiti chief executive Frances Toroa and accredited visiting service coordinator Jenny Puanaki. Thursday is World Elder Abuse Day.Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

People here are being urged to report elder abuse cases, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday.

Age Concern Tairāwhiti’s newly appointed chairman John McElhinney said he was keen to raise the organisation’s profile to encourage more people to ask for help.

He also wanted to see cooperation with other community groups.

“I want to co-operate and communicate with like organisations to advance the wellbeing of all senior citizens on the East Coast- Tairāwhiti,” Mr McElhinney said

Age Concern Tairāwhiti chief executive Frances Toroa said elder abuse took up about 80 percent of the organisation’s work, with referrals from police and other community organisations.

“After Covid there are still a lot of incidents that are not reported, and that’s what we are wanting to do something about.

“We are asking the community to keep their eyes open and for people to actually act and ring us, and try to initiate some kind of engagement.

“Community, neighbours, friends, whānau need to make that attempt — don’t keep it under wraps.”

Age Concern New Zealand is joining the global movement on June 15 in recognising World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“It is time to ‘break the silence’ on elder abuse,” Age Concern New Zealand chief executive Karen Billings-Jensen said.

“Elder abuse is a serious issue that affects our entire community. It is our collective responsibility to recognise it, speak up about it and prevent it from happening.

“We want to send a message to older people that they are not alone and that there is help available.

“In the last year Age Concern has worked with 2768 cases but we know there are more people suffering in silence, going unnoticed and unreported.”

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