Older people
It is important that when we think of domestic abuse that we don’t forget that it can affect anyone of any age.
What happens and who is involved?
These include:
- physical abuse
- psychological abuse
- financial abuse
- sexual abuse
- neglect.
Abuse can occur anywhere:
- someone’s own home
- a carer’s home
- day care
- residential care
- a nursing home
- hospital.
Both older men and women can be at risk of being abused. The abuser is usually well known to the person being abused.
They may be:
- a partner, child or relative
- a friend or neighbour
- a paid or volunteer care worker
- a health or social worker, or other professional
- older people may also be abused by a person they care for
Often, the people who abuse older people are exploiting a special relationship. They are in a position of trust, whether through family bonds, friendship or through a paid caring role, and they exploit that trust. Very rarely is the abuser someone who provides a family caring role.
