Age Concern Otago elder abuse response service team leader Marie Bennett said it was a major health issue, and after nearly 30 years in her role, the number of reports of elder abuse had increased from one a month in Otago, to 10 a week.
"Most reports are substantiated. It’s highly prevalent in Otago and it has increased dramatically."
University of Otago psychological medicine researcher and study co-author Associate Prof Yoram Barak said existing elder abuse assessment tools were "not up to par" and efforts to improve them were crucial.
The International Resident Assessment Instrument (interRAI-HC), used in New Zealand as an evaluation for home support or transfer to a care facility, offered a unique screening opportunity for elder abuse.
However, at present, it underestimated the extent of it.
By altering the criteria for suspicion of abuse, the capture rates of at-risk individuals would go from 2.6% to 4.8%, he said.
"By including an ‘unable to determine if abuse has occurred’ category, the identification of victims would be substantially improved.
"This is an opportunity to help tens of thousands of older New Zealanders."
Prof Barak said more than 18,000 interRAI-HC assessments, completed over a seven-year period, were analysed and variables in the "unable to determine" group closely resembled those which triggered an abuse assessment, when compared to the general elderly population.
This included risk factors such as depression and independence in decision-making.
Prof Barak hoped the public would become more open about reporting abuse when in contact with health professionals.
"We need to have an open and frank conversation about older adult abuse.
"Just as we are now more open to talking about family violence and mental health, the journey to an ageing-friendly community cannot deny older adult abuse."
He believed routine community-based screening, with a reliable screening tool, would be a valuable first step towards improving elder abuse detection.
Mrs Bennett welcomed a change to the system.
"Anything that encourages the elderly to speak out about it has got to be good."
Need help?
- Call the national elder abuse 24-hour free phone line on 0800 32 668 65 or text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz. If you or an older person are in immediate danger, call the Police on 111.
- Age Concern can help you. Age Concern Elder Abuse Services can be found across the country, with contacts to local support here.
