Call for law on abuse of the elderly

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 6

Call for law on abuse of the elderly

By

SUZANNE KEEN

Legislation requiring the reporting and recording of abuse and neglect of the elderly is urgently needed in New Zealand, according to a senior nurse at Sunnyside Hospital, Mr David Long. He believes such legislation would provide a foundation of reliable information to enable research into the causes and effects of maltreatment as well as showing where professional accountability lay- . . Mr Long said that as the law stood with no formal reporting procedures in New Zealand now, professionals who were associated with or involved in maltreatment could conveniently shield

themselves against acceptance of any responsibility. A paper presented by Mr Long to the “Celebrating Age” conference in Christchurch said that in the United States there were an estimated one million elderly people battered, neglected or exploited by family members and care givers each year. “Some may question if maltreatment of the elderly actually occurs in ‘Godzone.’ However, there is nothing to lead those who work in the field of gerontological and psychogerontological care to believe that the elderly here are any less at risk than those in other countries.” Mr Long said a remit seeking legislation for mandatory reporting of elderly

abuse and neglect was forwarded to the Labour Party policy council from the 1988 annual Labour Party Conference in Dunedin. He was still awaiting a reply after requesting information from the Government on the fate of the remit.

In most parts of the United States there is legislation specifically addressing the elderly as a population to be protected. In some states nurses can be struck off the register for failing to report abuse, while in others a jail sentence may be imposed. Mr Long said maltreatment of the elderly sometimes arose because the caregiver was suffering overwhelming emotional, physical or financial demands. It was important that they be

helped and supported as well as the person they were looking after. “Often it is a cry for help on the part of the carer who hasn’t got anyone to turn to. The facilities are not available for them, particularly with the push to have more elderly cared for in the community.” A member of the conference said steps were being taken to help caregivers in Dunedin establish a support group where they could “let off steam,” and lobby for further resources.

Another person suggested that since the Government had a Ministry of Women’s Affairs and a Ministry of Youth Affairs, the time might also be ripe to create a Ministry of Elderly Affairs.