Media release: UCD Communications

Thursday 12th June, 2014

Conference at UCD marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which is marked on 15th June each year, aims to increase awareness of mistreatment of older people and to highlight the need for appropriate action, including preventive measures. To coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NCPOP) at UCD, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) are conjointly hosting a national conference on elder abuse on Thursday, 12th June 2014. The conference, now in its fifth year, takes place at the UCD Health Sciences Centre. UCD President Andrew Deeks will give the welcome remarks and Ms Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister of State, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence with responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health, will deliver the conference opening address.

The keynote speaker is Professor Simon Biggs, Professor of Gerontology and Social Policy, University of Melbourne, Australia. Professor Biggs will speak on the subject of the relationship between elder abuse, ageism and human rights. Speakers at the conference will also include researchers and practitioners in the field of elder abuse.

Ms Emer Boyle, Head of Legal and Policy Advice, Office of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, will outline policy and practice in elder abuse in Northern Ireland. Dr Anne O’Loughlin, Principal Social Worker for the Protection of Older People, HSE, will speak about staff experiences of elder abuse in the residential care home setting.

The conference will also see the launch of a report entitled Family Carers of Older People: Results of a National Survey of Stress, Conflict and Coping. Conducted by researchers at the National Centre for the Protection of Older People at UCD and funded by the HSE, the report is a major national study of family carers’ experiences of caregiving. Professor Gerard Fealy, Centre Director, commented: Family carers play a major role in providing care for older people in the community, and therefore it is important that we understand the factors that place them at greater risk of engaging in behaviours that may be deemed to be harmful to an older person.’ Dr Attracta Lafferty, lead author of the report, will present key findings from the study, which involved a survey of over 2,000 family carers of older people. The study showed that approximately one third of carers experienced moderate to severe carer burden which, in turn, was one of the main factors associated with potentially harmful carer behaviour. This study provides important evidence about family caregiving which can inform the development of early preventive interventions to reduce conflict in the caregiving relationship.

Speaking in advance of the conference, Mr Frank Murphy, Chair of the HSE’s National Elder Abuse Steering Committee said: ‘There is a growing awareness, both nationally and internationally, of the issue of elder abuse. It is important to continue to try to raise awareness of the issue and to try to understand its causes, effects and how to combat it. This conference provides an opportunity to contribute to our knowledge of elder abuse.’ Speaking as the national INPEA representative, Dr. Amanda Phelan said: ‘Elder abuse is a serious issue in Irish society and is very complex in its manifestations and paths of intervention. The central objective in ensuring the safety of older people is promoting zero tolerance of any form of abuse.’

As part of the conference proceedings, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Assistant Garda Commissioner and the Dean of Nursing at UCD will sign the INPEA Declaration against Elder Abuse.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

UCD Communications at:

Tel: 01 716 1681

NOTES TO EDITORS

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”. In 2013, the HSE received over 2,400 referrals of elder abuse to its service. Since 2008, there has been a 29% increase in the number of referrals to the service. Most of the alleged victims referred to the elder abuse service were female and the referral rate was three times higher in the over 80s age group compared to those 65-79 years.

If you, or someone you know, is suffering abuse, don’t be silent. Tell someone. Get support and stop the abuse. Anyone experiencing elder abuse can call the HSE Information Line on 1850 24 1850, Monday to Saturday, 8am–8pm, or contact a health professional such as GP, public health nurse or social worker. For more information visit www.hse.ie