Are you a victim of elder abuse without even realising it?
A wealthy widow being told how to manage her money. A retired couple being denied access to their grandchildren. A single woman paying her high income-earning son’s credit card debt with her superannuation. Very different Australians with one unfortunate thing in common – they are all victims of elder abuse.
While most people are familiar with the term ‘domestic violence’, the term ‘elder abuse’ is less well known. Which in itself is part of the problem: a lack of awareness helps perpetuate the cycle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines elder abuse as:
“a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights.”
It isn’t necessarily restricted to actions that leave physical scars – which can make it harder to identify, even for victims themselves.
The absence of physical violence or financial theft can provide a false sense of security. Not recognising the signs that something is amiss lets mistreatment go unnoticed altogether. Alternatively, excuses are made for a loved one’s behaviour or concerns aren’t raised in order to ‘keep the peace’.
How prevalent is elder abuse in Australia?
The limited discussion of elder abuse in the media and society in general would suggest it isn’t common in Australia. Sadly, this couldn’t be more wrong.
Government figures estimate that one in six older people – around 598,000 individuals – were directly affected in 2023.
Psychological abuse was the most widespread, while 2.1 per cent of older Australians – 83,800 people – experienced financial abuse.
Who is responsible?
The saddest fact of all is that elder abuse is typically committed by people their victims should be able to trust the most.
More than half (53 per cent) of perpetrators are family members: adult children are the most common, with partners/spouses ranking third.
Friends are the second most common perpetrators.
What are the impacts?
Impacts of elder abuse are typically far-reaching and depend on the type of abuse involved.
Among them are:
- Loss of control and independence
- Physical and mental health issues
- Relationship breakdowns
- Financial losses
- Insecure living arrangements
It is not uncommon for older people to be pressured over how to manage their finances and estate planning, influencing everything from how much they have to live off in retirement to care arrangements in their final years and who benefits from their estate.
Much of the abuse and subsequent fallout centres around the family home.
Charity The Forgotten Women notes there are over 40,000 women aged 55-plus who are homeless in Queensland alone. Elder abuse is often a contributing – if not causal – factor, such as one woman forced to live in her car while her son occupies her home.
Meanwhile, the current housing crisis creates ideal conditions for abuse to flourish. Multi-generational households risk reduced independence and increased control over older people. A lack of proper agreements and structures when the Bank of Mum and Dad assists with a home deposit and/or loan guarantee opens the door to expectations of further financial assistance or threats to default on guaranteed loans.
Warning signs of elder abuse
Besides physical violence, red flags to look for include:
- Coercive control – undue pressure over decision-making, living arrangements, spending and investment strategies, pensions, superannuation, tax, legal affairs and wills, ownership of assets, power of attorney.
- Guilt – emotional manipulation and ‘guilt-tripping’ for not meeting particular demands.
- Isolation – from family and friends as well as from independent professional advisers (your accountant, financial adviser, lawyer, healthcare professionals etc.).
- Money mismanagement – taking cash without consent; restricting access to money and assets; pressure to pay expenses that aren’t yours.
- Neglect and abandonment – withholding essentials or anything that is needed to maintain quality of life.
- Blackmail – a tragically common example is withholding access to grandchildren unless financial or legal demands are met.
Given the potentially disastrous consequences, it is important to recognise the signs and act quickly. Don’t suffer in silence or hope that things will sort themselves out.
If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, seek help straight away. Speak to a trusted relative or friend. Seek independent legal and financial advice about your affairs. Or call the government’s free elder abuse line on 1800 353 374. And if your life is in danger, call triple zero (000) immediately.
About the Author: Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au
Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754.
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