Elder Abuse Response Service provides advice, information, and support about elder abuse.
Types of elder abuse:
- Psychological Abuse - ridicule or threats, harassment or humiliation, preventing choice or decision-making, withholding affection.
- Financial Abuse - unauthorised taking of money or possessions, misuse of power of attorney, failure to repay loans, use of home and/or utilities without contributing to costs, scams that rely on establishing a relationship with the older person with the intention of exploiting their savings and/or assets, e.g. romance scams.
- Physical Abuse - hitting, pushing, rough handling, over-medication, inappropriate use of restraints or confinement.
- Neglect - inadequate food, clothing or shelter, lack of social contact or support, health needs not attended to.
- Sexual Abuse - inappropriate touching, sexual acts with someone unable to give consent.
- Institutional Abuse - lack of respect for a person’s culture or customs, inappropriate rationing of continence products, inflexible routines e.g. breakfast at 8 am in the dining room.
Available free 24/7 by calling 0800 EA NOT OK (0800 32 668 65), text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz