Elder abuse a sickening betrayal

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

There is something sickening about stealing from the elderly and vulnerable and it is particularly so when the thief is someone whose job it is to provide care and support.

The front page story in yesterday's Chronicle about the caregiver who stole money from a 65-year-old Wanganui paraplegic has caused outrage.

Comments on the Chronicle Facebook page show an understandable degree of disgust and revulsion.

The disabled man, whom we called Chris, is confined to his bed at a city rest home and the caregiver had his bank card so she could pay his bills, including paying the rest home.

Instead, she treated herself with his money - a stomach-turning betrayal of trust that left Chris fearing he would be turned out of the home over unpaid bills.

Even sadder is that Age Concern Wanganui says this is just one of many cases of what is termed elder abuse - "the tip of the iceberg," according to social worker Sue Evans.

Elder abuse covers a gamut of criminal and unacceptable behaviour, including theft, assault, bullying and verbal abuse.

It has not had the attention that domestic violence and child abuse have had and this is, in part, due to the fact that it is often unreported. It is also quite often due to the fact the victims are unwilling to acknowledge it.

Much of this abuse is carried out by family members with the elderly victim feeling too vulnerable to do anything about it, or perhaps too ashamed of the family to raise the matter or even refusing to accept family members could treat them so badly.

Next week is Elder Abuse Awareness Week and Age Concern is calling on the community not to turn a blind eye if they suspect an older person is being abused or neglected.

This is an insidious sickness that we can all help fight. Look out for the old folk - you'll be one one day.