Elderly Abuse is the Most Under-Reported Form of Abuse within our Communities.

On Sakhisizwe - Building the nation - Bou die nasie we were joined by Abeada van Neel from the Local Advice Office, who supports community members navigating everyday rights and disputes, including elder abuse cases. Masi Ncube from Probono.org, who works to connect vulnerable people with free legal support. Victor Southwell, Director from NOAH Old Age Home, who works directly with elderly residents every day and sees first-hand what abuse and neglect can look like in care settings. 

Elderly Abuse, also known as abuse of older persons, is intentionally harming a person who is 60 years of age and older. According to a 2023 study by the University of Cape Town, approximately, 1 in 10 elderly persons in South African communities experience abuse.

Different Types of Elderly Abuse

Elderly Abuse is rather a serious concern within and around our communities and it is not just limited to physical abuse but may also disguise itself in emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. According to Victor Southwell, physical abuse is not the only type of abuse, we can think of that elderly people experience, “It could also be the threat of physical abuse but, then the emotional and psychological abuse that’s when one uses words or actions to cause mental distress or fear, or even loneliness and it happens in intimidation and yelling, humiliating somebody, ridiculing, ignoring them or isolating somebody,” he said.

Other forms of abuse are in the form of financial abuse where elders are pressured to change the ownership of their documents. Sexual abuse which is non-consensual interaction and lastly neglect, which is the failure of a caregiver, to meet the basic needs like food or medication, of a person.

Red flags to look out for

Substance abuse can also become an underlying factor amongst elderly people and should be noted as one of the many red flags to look out for, “The elderly can also become addicted to substance abuse, like alcohol, sleeping tablets or pain medication just to get through the day, when they are being abused at the home they are staying at,” Abeada explained.

How the Law interacts with these types of abuse?

By law, Elderly people are entitled to a protection order which is a court order issued by a judge. Under consideration that it is identified as domestic violence. “When we talk about legislation the most important one we think of is the older Persons Act. It’s a situation where you can go down the criminal route or the civil route,” Masi, explained.

Solutions and Supportive Systems to Help Elderly People Stay Safe

During the interview Victor Southwell, highlighted that NOAH Old Age Home, has psycho social interventions to provide support to elderly people and they can also request individual counselling. With the help of their social worker, they also train community members for a trauma informed first responders training. To teach elders to hold space to talk to other elders about what they are dealing with.

If you know anyone suffering from elderly abuse, please reach out to the NOAH Offices and contact them on 021 447 6334. Walk-ins are also available at their centres in Woodstock, Athlone and Khayelitsha, which operates from Mon-Fri 08H00 AM-16H00PM.