Elder abuse
What is Elder Abuse?
We define elder abuse as:
'A 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'.
It is important that when we think of domestic abuse that we don’t forget that it can affect anyone of any age! The abuse can come in many different forms
What happens and who is involved?
These include:
- physical abuse
- psychological abuse
- financial abuse
- sexual abuse
- neglect.
Abuse can occur anywhere:
- someone’s own home
- a carer’s home
- day care
- residential care
- a nursing home
- hospital.
Both older men and women can be at risk of being abused.
The abuser is usually well known to the person being abused.
They may be:
- a partner, child or relative
- a friend or neighbour
- a paid or volunteer care worker
- a health or social worker, or other professional
- older people may also be abused by a person they care for
Often, the people who abuse older people are exploiting a special relationship. They are in a position of trust, whether through family bonds, friendship or through a paid caring role, and they exploit that trust. Very rarely is the abuser someone who provides a family caring role.
Vulnerable Adults
An elderly person may be regarded as a “vulnerable adult”, and there are multi-agency Policies and Procedures for the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults. In Oxfordshire the criteria for being defined as a “vulnerable adult” is someone who is:
- aged 18 or over
- Receiving or in need of care. e.g. help with washing or dressing
- Unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Procedures (pdf format, 244 Kb)
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Policy (pdf format, 42.4 Kb)
Guidance booklet for all staff (pdf format, 2.49 Kb)
Safeguarding Adults public leaflet (pdf format, 110 Kb)
For more information please go to Oxfordshire Safe From Harm Website
Oxfordshire Social and Community Services
Offering practical information, advice and support
Tel: 0845 050 7666
Out of hours emergency number: 0800 833 408
Email: access@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Action on Elder Abuse
Ac
Telephone: 0808 808 8141
Website: www.elderabuse.org.u
Oxfordshire Age Concern
Advice and helpline
Tel: 01235 848400
Email: admin@ageconcernoxon.org.uk
Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk
The Samaritans
For emotional support
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
Website: www.samaritans.org
Help lines
- National helpline
(24 hrs)
0808 2000 247 - Oxfordshire domestic abuse helpline
0800 731 0055 - Police
(non emergency)
101 - Victim support
0845 450 3883 - Kiran Asian
women’s aid
0208 558 1986 - Men's advice line
0808 801 0327 - Broken Rainbow
(LGBT)
020 8539 9507 - Elder abuse
0808 808 8141 - Childline
0800 1111
