Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) first championed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in 2006 in order to bring attention to the issue of elder abuse in our global society.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held on June 15 each year, is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognises the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights concern. The day serves as a call to action for individuals, organisations and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect and the exploitation of older people.

The detection and response to elder abuse is significantly challenged by the lack of awareness and understanding, or even recognition of the issue among our communities

Elder Abuse is defined 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 or violates their human and civil rights. (Protecting our Future, Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse, September 2002). Sixty five years of age is taken as the point beyond which abuse may be considered to be elder abuse.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for all of us to focus our attention on elder abuse. It challenges each one of us to help eradicate abuse of older people and to redouble efforts to promote respect and dignity for all older people. Everybody has a role to play and the challenges posed by elder abuse cannot be met solely by any one individual, organisation, or state body.

The different types of abuse may be categorised as follows:

• psychological abuse including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks
• physical abuse - including slapping, pushing, hitting, kicking, misuse of medication, inappropriate restraint (including physical and chemical restraint) or sanctions
• financial or material abuse including theft; fraud; exploitation; pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance, or financial transactions; or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
• neglect (including self-neglect) and acts of omission including ignoring medical or physical care needs, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
• discriminatory abuse including ageism, racism, sexism, that based on a persons disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment
• institutional abuse may occur within residential care and acute settings including nursing homes, acute hospitals and any other in-patient settings, and may involve poor standards of care, rigid routines and inadequate responses to complex needs.
• sexual abuse including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the older adult has not consented, or could not consent, or into which he or she was compelled to consent

Any person or organisation may be guilty of abuse. Most often it is someone well known to the older person, for example, a family member, relative, friend or care provider – a relationship where there is an expectation of trust.

Abuse can take place anywhere: most abuse takes place in the home, whether the person is living alone or with family. It may also occur within residential, day-care, or hospital settings, other places assumed to be safe, or in a public place.

If you or someone you know is being abused, talk to

• someone you trust
• your health professional - your family doctor, public health nurse, HSE Social Worker (Senior Case Worker) or anyone at your local health centre
• your local Garda Station
• the HSE Information Line on 1800 700 700, Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm (they will give you details of HSE staff in your local area who can help you)
• your bank or solicitor
• general managers in your HSE Local Health Office
• nursing home owner or the nurse in charge

The Health Service Executive

The HSE is the competent authority for the reporting of Elder Abuse and has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service. For more information, see the Safeguarding section of the HSE's website which provides details of the Safeguarding policy, together with elder abuse publications. Please see also the details of the HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams which are located in each of the Community Health Care Organisations.

You can also seek advice from the HSE Information Line:

Safeguarding concerns – HSE Safeguarding and Protection teams

The main provider of services to safeguard in Ireland is the HSE which operates an Adult Safeguarding Policy within older persons services and services for people with disabilities.

The National Safeguarding Office is based in Limerick (safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie / (061) 461 165) and there are nine regional Safeguarding and Protection Teams covering all community health regions in the country.

The teams are tasked to assess allegations of abuse or neglect and to intervene to address concerns (being mindful of the will and preferences of the adult at risk of abuse).

The local contact details for each of the nine regional teams are:

For questions about health services you can also contact HSE Live which is open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am–8pm. Callsave 1800 700 700, or 01 240 8787.

Department of Social Protection

The department will also act on any reports it receives of alleged abuse of its pension/benefit recipients, consulting or involving as appropriate other relevant agencies such as the HSE or An Garda Siochána. Investigations of alleged abuse are coordinated by the Safeguarding Unit in the department:

Other useful websites/resources

• The Irish Hospice's Think Ahead form can be accessed here.
• Information on managing finances and identifying fraud here.
• Safeguarding Ireland
• Citizens Information
• Advocacy Ireland
• Sage Advocacy
• An Garda Siochána