When we hear stories about 38-year-old John Trimble Jr. from offaly who is surving a 15-year jail sentence who abused his own elerly parents and imprisoned them, makeing them have cold shower beside an open door and robbed them.

Scale of Problem,

• In 2006 cso statistics showed that 11% of the population were over 65 years
• Studies elsewhere show 3%-5% of older people living in the community suffer abuse at any one time

• Based on the above figure and our population-In Ireland 14,000 to 23,000 people may be suffering from abuse, neglect and/or mistreatment “O’Loughlin and Duggan 1998″

Who abuses older people,

• A partner, spouse, relative, or friend
• A visitor to the residential facility
• A health care worker
• A volunteer worker

Psychological abuse this is the most commonly reported forms of abuse, it can take various forms including, emotional abuse, threats of harm, threats of abandonment, bullying, shouting, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming and controlling.

How to spot signs of psychological abuse, The victim may feel or appear depressed, withdrawn, frightened, agitated, anxious or aggresssive. The older person feels or seems isolated. There are uexpected changes in the older persons behaviour.

Financial abuse is also very common abusers justification for this is they feel they have earned it theymay feel that it is their right inheritance or even feel that the older person does not need it this includes theft, fraud, forgery, embezzlement, exploitation, pressure in connection to wills, property or inheritance or financial transaction.

How to spot the signs of financial abuse, lack of money for basics despite a adaquate income, they are complaning of money or possessions going missing, Reluctance on family, friends on controlling funds to pay for bills or treatment ( but please remember it could be that you are trying to take to much of there independence away), a persons inability to explain what is happening to their income, unexplained credit card use or withdrawel, disappearance of pension books, bank statements or other documents,

Sexual abuse,

Forcing a person to abserve sexual acts or showing them pornographic material or spying on them in the bathroom or bedroom, forced nudity, fondling, touching or kissing are all considered sexual abuse

How to spot the signs of sexual abuse, pain, itching or injury in the anal, genital or abdominal area, torn, stained or bloody underclothing, bite marks or bruises on breasts, neck or face, venereal diseases or bouts of cystitis, unexplained problims with catheters, difficulty sitting or walking due to discomfort in genital area, a change in the persons behaviour, i.e may appear depressed, withdrawn from normal activities, they may appear frightened agitated or anxious.

 
Neglect is failing to provide for the basic necessities and physical needs of a person, this includes ingnoring medical or physical care needs, failing to provade access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, withholding the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating, also lack of food and water, appropriate clothing, hygiene and lack of mental stimulation, lack of assistance in mobility, denial or delay in medical care, using physical restraint in bed or in another area, lack of access to the toilet or inadequate changing of pads or disposable pants which can lead to bed sores.

Under the equal ack 2000 and 2004 a person cannot be discriminated against due to

• Race
• Traveller Background
• Religion
• Gender
• Marital status
• Family status
• Sexual Orientation
• Disability
• Age

If you spot any of signs above sit down and talk to the person in care let them know your there to help find out what is going on and call the Guards right away.