Elder Abuse

As people get older they can sometimes find themselves in a situation where they are not being treated properly. More often than not the person involved is someone they trust who has a special relationship with them. It may be a relation or a paid carer or someone whom they rely on to help them. This can make it very difficult for the older person to know what to do or be able to do anything about their situation on their own.

Elder abuse can take a variety of forms:

Financial abuse
Physical abuse
Neglect
Psychological abuse
Sexual abuse

Abuse is an act, or a lack of action, that occurs within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.

Abuse can sometimes be unintentional and has come about because a carer is struggling to cope with their caring role.

Age Concern Oxfordshire work alongside the Oxfordshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Adults team to ensure that older people who are vulnerable and have suffered, or are at risk of suffering, harm from abuse are supported and not left to deal with their situation alone.

The older person will always be the one to decide if they wish to receive help or not. Their wishes are always respected and confidentiality assured. We will not tell anyone else unless they ask us to.

If you have concerns about an older person, or maybe are a carer of an older person reaching the end of your tether and would like to talk to someone in confidence, please call Christine Witcher on 01235 849400.