Elder abuse If only someone had asked

Content warning: domestic abuse and family violence
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study was published in 2021, finding that one in six older Australians has suffered elder abuse of some kind including psychological, physical, financial and sexual abuse, and neglect. This number surprised experts and indicated the problem is far worse than previous estimates.
In this fourth episode of If only someone had asked, we hear from Western Health's Elder Abuse Prevention and Response Liaison Officer Carla Wilkie and social worker Kellie Plasajec. 
Carla talks about the different forms of elder abuse and describes how it usually occurs at the hands of adult children. She also explains how ageism – negative and limiting social attitudes towards older people – is a contributing factor to elder abuse.
Kellie covers safety planning for patients experiencing elder abuse and some of the complicating factors to consider including mobility and age-related health issues that might make leaving a dangerous situation harder. Both Carla and Kellie advocate centring impacted patients as the expert of their own situation.
This podcast includes descriptions of elder abuse – a form of family violence – and may be upsetting to some listeners. If you have experienced elder abuse, you can call 1800ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) for information and advice.
For more information, visit http://familyviolence.wh.org.au