Most people think of elder abuse as being physical, but emotional and financial abuse are just as devastating to the lives of older people.

The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse 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."

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has a dedicated Elderly and Vulnerable Client team, which provides information and advice to healthcare professionals, families and vulnerable people about financial, emotional and physical abuse. 

Physical abuse includes neglect, and we recently brought a successful claim on behalf of a man who suffered terrible bedsores while in the care of a nursing home. 

Sadly, financial abuse is on the rise, hitting the headlines again this month when carer Nozizwe Mlotshwa was jailed for two-and-half years after being found guilty of defrauding 81-year-old widower Dennis Breakwell.

When Mr Breakwell died in October 2008, his solicitors became suspicious that his money had disappeared and began a police investigation. 

According to the BBC website: "Detective Constable Julie Williams, who led the 20-month investigation, said Mlotshwa established herself in a position of trust in an 'astonishingly short space of time', and on one occasion wrote herself a cheque for £75,000.

"'The 44-year-old deliberately targeted elderly and vulnerable Dennis Breakwell – a Worcester man living alone and many miles from his relatives – and calculatingly and callously stripped him of all but a very small part of his substantial assets,' she said."

The Office for the Public Guardian brought in anti-abuse measures to try to combat financial abuse and fraud, but these safeguards often fail when the victim is also subjected to emotional abuse, forcing them to hand over control of their finances. 

Access Legal from Shoosmiths runs a helpline and can be contacted seven-days-a-week on 03700 868686 with queries about financial, emotional or physical abuse.

The charity Action on Elder Abuse investigates cases of elder abuse and provides a helpline for victims and others who are concerned about or have witnessed abuse. It is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0808 808 8141. In an emergency, dial 999.

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