About elder abuse

Elder abuse is single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. [World Health Organization (WHO)].

Elder Abuse can take many forms including, but not limited to:  

• Physical harm
• Emotional harm
• Financial harm
• Sexual harm
• Neglect or misuse of power, such as controlling older people’s decisions or isolating them from others.

Elder abuse should not be tolerated.

Raising awareness and understanding the signs of abuse are essential steps in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of older people in our communities. 

Abuse is more common than you think  

Each week Advocare’s Elder Abuse Helpline (1300 724 679) receives around 40 calls from older adults or concerned members of the public worried about someone in their community.  

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in six older people experience elder abuse. One in two people who inflict elder abuse are family members.  

Often unreported

Elder abuse can occur anywhere – at home, in the community or in residential aged care homes. Speaking out can be difficult, especially when the perpetrator is a family member or someone the older person depends on. 

Older people may not report elder abuse for several reasons, including:  

• Fear of retaliation
• Shame or embarrassment
• A desire to protect the perpetrator
• Dependence on the perpetrator for care
• Feelings of powerlessness
• Not recognising the behavior as abuse.

In some cases, older people may worry reporting the abuse will lead to further isolation or loss of independence. 

If you or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse, please contact the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 724 679 or visit this Addressing Elder Abuse to learn more about how to access support and guidance. 

Types of elder abuse

Elder abuse can take many forms, and often involves multiple forms of mistreatment occurring simultaneously:

You can find out more about the different forms of elder abuse in our booklet, Standing Strong and Speaking Out: Identifying the Signs of Elder Abuse.

Warning signs

Older adults experiencing elder abuse may exhibit one or more tell-tale signs, such as:

• Withdrawal or absence from social activities
• Isolation from other people, including being difficult to contact
• Anxiety, fear, or nervousness around certain individuals
• Unexplained injuries
• Changes in physical condition
• Changes in grooming
• Changes in financial arrangements or circumstances, such as an empty fridge, unpaid bills, or missing items of value
• A decline in personal hygiene
• A decline in physical health, including marked weight loss or changes in sleeping patterns.

It’s important to note these behaviours do not necessarily mean someone is experiencing elder abuse. Multiple factors can contribute to these signs. If you’re concerned about someone, it’s important to stay vigilant and consider the context to ensure the safety and well-being of the older person. 

Perpetrators

Perpetrators of elder abuse are usually known and trusted by the older person. They can be:

 

• Family members
• Friends
• Neighbours
• Carers
• Acquaintances

In 2023, Advocare received calls regarding abuse of older people and noted these trends on perpetrators: 

Most common perpetrator gender:  

• Males were the most common perpetrators, accounting for 498 cases (30.3%)
• Females followed at 450 cases (27.4%)

Unknown or unspecified gender accounted for 563 cases (34.4%). Most common issue or scenario reported:  

•  Victim: A female aged 80–89 years, living alone in her own home, often perceived as having wealth.  
•  Perpetrator: A male, typically the victim’s son, aged 40–60 years, driven by family dysfunction or opportunistic financial exploitation. 

Frequently Asked Questions