A service supporting elderly people who are being abused is receiving around six calls for help every day, and says it's the tip of the iceberg.
In over half of the cases referred to Age Concern, abuse or neglect is confirmed.
But overseas research indicates only 16 per cent of elder abuse ever comes to light.
Age Concern's Louise Collins says the reason it's so under-reported is because it most commonly happens within families.
"Some people are ashamed, or they're reliant on a family member, so they don't want to say anything incase the abuse gets worse.
