Month: June 2018

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2018

/ Karen

elderabuse

The United Nations designated 15th June 2018 as ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’.

This is an occasion to recognise and highlight the issue of elder abuse in the world and for each country to vocalise its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted upon some members of our older generations

Here in Northern Ireland, elder abuse is widely considered as being ‘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’.

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) Northern Ireland is the only charity in Northern Ireland working exclusively to safeguard and protect older people from all forms of abuse.

On their website, the charity aims to prevent the abuse of older people by working on 4 main goals:

  1. By raising awareness of the various strands of elder abuse and harm older people experience including physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, financial abuse and neglect
  2. By providing advice, guidance and support to both older people at risk of abuse or in need of protection and those concerned about them
  3. By engaging with older people, practitioners and policy makers to improve prevention and protection through delivery of conferences, seminars, information materials and policy briefings
  4. By campaigning for the best possible support and prevention frameworks.

Action on Elder Abuse NI operate a specialist and confidential helpline (080 8808 8141) for older persons who are suffering with or affected by abuse or for those who may have concerned about an older person in their lives being treated badly. This is a free helpline and is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

If you require legal advice with regards to an issue involving elder person abuse or any other issue regarding elder person care and needs, you will be able to access specialist solicitors via the Solicitors for the Elderly (SLE).

This is an independent, national organisation of lawyers who provide specialist legal advice for older clients, their families and carers. Members of SLE cover advice in many areas of law tailored to elder client needs, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Trusts, Probate, care funding, along with matters involving the Office of Care & Protection and elder abuse.

If you require any further informaiotn, please do not hesitate to conatct us here or leave your comments below