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Financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland: the unsettling truth
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This study provides evidence of the scope and scale of the financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland. The study interviewed 1,025 people older people (aged 60 and over) across Northern Ireland were surveyed in relation to financial abuse. They were asked 29 questions in relation to their personal finances, money-management and decision-making in the last 12 months. The results found that that 21 per cent of older people surveyed had experienced some kind of financial abuse. The most prevalent forms of financial abuse identified were issues relating to money and possessions (7 per cent of respondents); buying and selling goods (6 per cent of respondents); and issues relating to charity contributions (4 per cent of respondents). Other types of financial abuse identified included: coercion to sign and fraudulent use of signatures; changes to legal and financial documents and investments; experience of coercion; bank account activity; deception and misuse of money; and issues relating to inheritance and power of attorney. Based on the result of the survey sample, which was representative of Northern Ireland’s older population, the findings suggest that over 75,000 older people are experiencing some form of financial abuse in Northern Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people's views of support services in response to elder abuse in communities across Ireland
- Authors:
- BEGLEY Emer, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.48-59.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study investigated older peoples’ perceptions of interventions and services to support people experiencing abuse. Participants included 58 older people, aged 65 years and over, who took part in focus groups across Ireland. Preventative community-based approaches and peer supports were identified as important mechanisms to support people experiencing, and being at risk of, elder abuse. Choices regarding care provision and housing, as well as opportunities for engagement in community activities where they can discuss issues with others were identified as ways to prevent abuse. The policy implication of the findings from this research is that enhanced attention and resources should be directed to community activities that enable older people to share their concerns informally thereby gaining confidence to seek more formal interventions when necessary. Suggested for future research are presented.
Older people’s conceptualization of elder abuse and neglect
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Brian J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 26(3), 2014, pp.223-243.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This qualitative study used data from eight focus groups involving 58 people aged over 65 years in both urban and rural settings across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Following training, four older people assisted in facilitation and analysis as peer researchers. Increasing lack of respect within society was experienced as abusive. The vulnerability of older people to abuse was perceived as relating to the need for help and support, where standing up for themselves might have repercussions for the person’s health or safety. Emotional abusiveness was viewed as underpinning all forms of abuse, and as influencing its experienced severity. Respondents’ views as to whether an action was abusive required an understanding of intent: some actions that professionals might view as abusive were regarded as acceptable if they were in the older person’s best interests. Preventing abuse requires a wide-ranging approach including rebuilding respect for older people within society. Procedures to prevent elder abuse need to take into account the emotional impact of family relationships and intent, not just a description of behaviors that have occurred. (Publisher abstract)
Judgements of social care professionals on elder abuse referrals: a factorial survey
- Authors:
- KILLICK Campbell, TAYLOR Brian J.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 42(5), 2012, pp.814-832.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Compared to the fields of child protection and domestic violence, adult protection is relatively new. Definitions and concepts about the basic concepts of abuse and vulnerability remain ambiguous and policies are open to interpretation. This study sought to assist in the development of a more sophisticated understanding of vulnerability and abuse. Specifically, the study investigated factors in professional decision making in relation to identifying and reporting abuse of older people. A systematic review and a panel of expert practitioners were used to identify factors that might influence professional recognition and reporting of elder abuse. These factors were incorporated into a questionnaire that included randomised factorial survey vignettes and additional questions on decision making. Sets of unique vignettes were completed by 190 social workers, nurses and other professional care managers across Northern Ireland in 2008, giving 2,261 randomised vignettes used as the units of analysis. The findings showed that recognition and reporting of abuse were influenced by case factors specific to the abuse event (type and frequency of abuse), while contextual factors (age, gender, health conditions) did not significantly influence recognition or referring of abuse. While there was some consistency in recognition and referring in extreme cases, there was disparity in the more ambiguous vignettes.
Elder abuse in people with dementia in Northern Ireland: prevalence and predictors in cases referred to a psychiatry of old age service
- Authors:
- COMPTON S.A., FLANAGAN P., GREGG W.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12(6), June 1997, pp.632-635.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Discusses the findings of research which looks at the prevalence of elder abuse in community-dwelling patients with dementia and tests the hypothesis that there is no difference in carer and patient characteristics between the abused and non-abused population. Results found that a poor premorbid relationship, verbal or physical abuse by the dependant, problem behaviours in the dependant, the carer's level of anxiety and a perception of not receiving help were significantly associated with abuse. Alcohol consumption of the carer, physical dependence, severity of cognitive impairment or financial or social circumstances were not associated with elder abuse. Concludes that elder abuse is associated with aspects of the patient/carer relationship and should be regarded as a significant problem in patients with dementia referred to an old age service.
Safeguarding staff’s experience of cases of financial abuse
- Authors:
- PHELAN Amenda, McCARTHY Sandra, McKEE Joyce
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 48(4), 2018, p.924–942.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Financial abuse of older people is an important issue for all safeguarding staff, particularly social workers, who are often tasked with complex case management. Financial abuse can take many forms and can occur remotely to the older person and without their knowledge. However, research in this area is limited. This study was undertaken to understand how safeguarding staff in Northern Ireland manage these cases and the challenges experienced. Fourteen safeguarding staff, including social workers and nurses, participated in two focus groups. Using thematic analysis, four areas of concern were identified. These were capacity issues, relationships, structural context and rural versus urban context. The paper concludes that changes are needed in a number of areas such as social and cultural norms, legislation, policy and practice in order to enable social work practitioners to manage cases of financial abuse of older people in a more comprehensive way. (Edited publisher abstract)
Consultation paper on law and the elderly (LRC CP 23 - 2003)
- Author:
- IRELAND. Law Reform Commission
- Publisher:
- Ireland. Law Reform Commission
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 224p.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Elderly people require support from income maintenance, health, housing and personal social services. The Law Reform Commission is conscious that the elderly constitute a significant and growing group who may also need specific support and protection from the legal system. While the majority of elderly people do not need any special legal support or protection, there is a significant minority who, because of illness or disability, impaired mental capacity or social and economic dependency do need protection. They may require protection from physical or mental abuse. They may need protection from misuse of their money or property. At some stage they may need help with making decisions and ultimately may need a substitute decision maker. This is a matter of interest to everyone and not just to the current generation of elderly people – any one of us could become a vulnerable adult in need of protection. This Consultation Paper is concerned with legal mechanisms for the protection of such vulnerable elderly people.
Home truths: a report on the Commissioner's investigation into Dunmurry Manor Care Home
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 101
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This report provides findings of an investigation into the standards of care in Dunmurry Manor Nursing Home, a residential and nursing home in Northern Ireland. The report also provides 59 recommendations to improve the quality of care of older people living in care homes. The investigation gathered evidence from past and present residents, their families and employees of Dunmurry Manor about their experience of the care and treatment. The findings show an environment of poor care and treatment, serious safeguarding issues and medicines management issues. The 61 findings cover nine key themes: Safeguarding and human rights; Care and treatment; Medicines management; Environment and environmental cleanliness; Regulation and inspection; Staff skills, training and development; Management and leadership; Complaints and communication; and Accountability and governance. (Edited publisher abstract)