43990 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Seniors

43990 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Seniors: Does the Minister agree with Ngaire Kerse, the president of New Zealand Association of Gerontology and the Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well at University of Auckland, that Approximately one in six people aged 60 and over will experience some form of abuse in community settings, with the rate higher in institutional care; if so, what, if anything will she do to address this?

Hon Casey Costello: I agree that elder abuse is not talked about enough, making it difficult to identify and produce estimates of its scale. We know that older people are vulnerable and for a variety of reasons can often feel afraid to speak up about any potential abuse they are experiencing. With an ageing population, it is important that we better understand the scale of the challenge and how barriers to reporting abuse can be diminished. I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development has funded a national prevalence study on the abuse of older people. The study involves a nationally-representative survey of older people (aged 55+) living independently, research in the Integrated Data Infrastructure, and several qualitative research components, including working with older people who have experienced abuse. This will give us a more current understanding of the rates of abuse of older people in the New Zealand context and the contextual drivers. The Government is also investing in the prevention of abuse of older people, as part of the broader strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence through Te Aorerekura. I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development invests approximately $12 million across 37 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) delivering Elder Abuse Response Services nationwide. This service is supported by a Ministry-funded national Elder Abuse Response Service helpline (0800 EA NOT OK) delivered by Whakarongorau Aotearoa. Older people living in aged residential care can make a complaint with the Health and Disability Commission if they are concerned about the quality of care they, or someone they know, are receiving. There has also been a national campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse – led by the Office for Seniors and timed to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15 June every year. This complements the work that is achieved throughout the year to raise awareness through their website and communications channels, including e-newsletters and Facebook.