Nearly 1,100 elder abuse concerns reported in Cork and Kerry

Almost 1,100 concerns of elder abuse in Cork and Kerry were reported to the HSE South West safeguarding and protection team last year.

It said 600 of these concerns related to emotional abuse including bullying, humiliating the person, or coercive control.

Many reports involved more than one type of abuse of an older person.

The HSE said a key concern this year is neglect, including cases where older people are not receiving enough food or appropriate nutrition.

Elder abuse can also be physical, including rough handling, pushing, shoving, hitting, force-feeding, and the inappropriate use of medication.

Older people can be vulnerable to financial and online abuse either by strangers or people known to them. This can include exploitation as well as mis-use of their money or property.

Sexual abuse is also a concern reported to HSE teams, including any sexual act carried out without consent or where a person is unable to give consent.

HSE South West will mark World Elder Abuse Day on Monday with events and videos shared on its YouTube channel. Cork City Council and Kerry County Council will also light up their buildings in purple to mark the awareness day.

Kevin Collins, a principal social worker with the adult safeguarding and protection team for Cork and Kerry, said: “Something as ordinary as a meal can tell us a great deal about whether a person’s rights, wishes, and wellbeing are being respected.

“Having access to nutritious food, adequate hydration, choice, and support at mealtimes is fundamental to health and quality of life. 

"Older adults should be supported to eat and drink in a way that respects their preferences, independence, and dignity.” 

HSE South West has seen “serious consequences” arise when people miss meals or are not helped to eat if they struggle to use cutlery or cook anymore.

“Safeguarding begins with noticing these experiences, listening to older people, and responding when something does not seem right,” said Mr Collins.

The HSE warned: “Elder abuse remains widely under-recognised and under-reported and can take many forms.” 

It said this can happen in someone’s home as well as in places such as hospitals or nursing homes.

The Oireachtas health committee last month called on the Department of Health to act on the long-delayed Adult Safeguarding Bill, warning that the lack of legislation has created opportunities for the abuse of vulnerable adults.

“There is a persistent failure to report the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in Ireland,” said a report.

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane, who led the report, said: “Time and again, devastating failures are exposed where adults are recklessly exposed to harm, coercion, or indeed suffer it.

“Despite the Law Reform Commission first raising concerns about the absence of statutory safeguarding laws 15 years ago, we still do not have such laws.”