Why aren't abused older people being supported?
Age Concern says it's a tragedy that some seniors facing elder abuse and neglect get less support because they live in
the 'wrong' parts of the country.
Minister for Senior Citizens John Carter said yesterday that Government has no money for further elder abuse and neglect
prevention services, meaning at least 12 key areas will continue to go without.
"On behalf of older New Zealanders, we're asking the Minister to try again," Age Concern national president Liz
Baxendine says.
"The Minister says that preventing elder abuse and neglect is one of his top priorities. Appropriately he said this most
recently at a hui called 'Breaking the Silence'. Now we're calling on Mr Carter to break his silence and back up his
talk with action.
"This is a opportunity for the Minister for Senior Citizens to live up to his title by advocating for older people.
We're asking him to support a Budget bid to get older people the services they need."
A proposal from Age Concern New Zealand would have seen local agencies tendering for services to help prevent elder
abuse and neglect and support older people with complex needs in the community.
John Carter, in a letter received today by Age Concern, said "Your proposal around elder abuse prevention makes a lot of
sense. [But] we are not planning to make budget bids in the areas you propose."
"It's time for the Minister to do more to advocate for his portfolio," Liz Baxendine says. "It's appalling that
vulnerable older people in areas with significant senior populations aren't getting the support they need from
Government."
"In parts of the country with services, Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention teams get at least two new cases of abuse
every day. But they could do more if they weren't handicapped by funding shortfalls.
Older people without a service to support them are facing increased risk, Age Concern says. Abuse is less likely to be
reported, and other agencies will have to fill the gaps.
"Around the country there are local Age Concerns and other organisations which could be providing support services; they
just need the funding and the approval to get started," Liz Baxendine says.
The 12 key gaps
1. Northland - no service
2. Rodney - no service
3. Thames-Coromandel - no service
4. Rotorua - no service
5. Whakatane and Opotiki - no service
6. Marlborough - no service
7. Ashburton - no service
8. Wairoa - no service
9. Auckland – under-funded for the population covered
10. Canterbury – under-funded for the population covered
11. Counties-Manukau – under-funded for the population covered
12. Wellington – under-funded for the population covered
We are trying to fill these gaps. This is an important social justice and welfare issue. Older people must be able to
get the help they need wherever they live.
More information about elder abuse and neglect prevention:
ENDS