Hawke's Bay elder abuse complaints 'tip of iceberg'

Protecting people from abuse has no age limit, a local elder abuse prevention service says.
Today is Elder Abuse Awareness Day and local Age Concern workers hope more people will reach out for help when they need it.
Age Concern Hastings' elder abuse and neglect prevention services see about 10 referrals a month, but that could represent just a fraction of elder abuse cases.
Service social worker and coordinator Tania Kiwara said the problem is probably worse than Age Concern sees.
"What we are receiving is really just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "We receive referrals for very little of what's actually happening."
Age Concern's service was the only specialised centre in Hawke's Bay and received referrals from Wairoa to Central Hawke's Bay. Most elder abuse was carried out by family members, Ms Kiwara said.
"The majority of people we see are in the community, not in residential care," she said.
"For those in residential care, the abuse is still by family members."
A lot of abuse was financial - from pressuring older people to guarantee loans to keeping change from groceries.
There had been incidents where people had lost their homes after using them as security for loans to family members.
Psychological abuse and neglect were also reported, with some elderly people not being given choices in their lives or being put in a residential facility where their relatives stopped caring for them.
Ms Kiwara said anyone being abused could reach out to someone they trusted such as a GP, friend or lawyer.
Tukituki MP and Minister for Senior Citizens, Craig Foss, said older people needed to be aware of their rights and the services and resources that were available to them.
"Research estimates that between 3 and 10 per cent of our seniors are being abused in some way, most don't get the help they need," he said.
"I believe everyone should know how to identify and deal with elder abuse and neglect."
Anyone wanting help or advice can contact Age Concern at (06) 870 9060.