This year the Queensland Police Service is determined to get the message out that there’s no excuse for elder abuse.
Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust which results in harm to an older person.
Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.
Using the funds of an elderly parent without their knowledge, such as skimming their pension or taking their key card, is elder abuse. So is intimidating an elderly person into signing legal documents to hand over assets or make new wills. Someone neglecting the care of an elderly person they’re responsible for is elder abuse, and can have devastating effects on health and wellbeing.
Sadly, it is most often close family members who are the abusers. This can mean older people are less willing to tell someone, or we