Wokingham

The abuse of older people has been well documented on television and in the national newspapers, but what exactly is meant by ‘abuse’ and what is being done to prevent it?

These are the questions Wokingham District Council is hoping to address with its support of a national campaign to help raise awareness and help stop elder abuse. The campaign is being launched today by Help the Aged in partnership with Action on Elder Abuse.

The Wokingham district council recognises that older people and other vulnerable adults such as people with disability or mental health problems, are sometimes harmed, mistreated or neglected by people they should be able to trust. Abuse may be physical or sexual, but can also take the form of psychological abuse, including threats of harm and humiliation which are often difficult to prove. Abuse may also include the neglect of a person’s medical or care needs, the withholding of food and even the theft of a person’s money and possessions. Wokingham District Council investigate approximately 100 concerns about abuse every year.

The Wokingham district council has produced a leaflet ‘What you need to know about Adult Abuse’ – available in Wokingham council offices, libraries and GP surgeries and information is available on the council website at www.wokingham.gov.uk/adult-social-care--carers-support/adult-abuse

The Wokingham council works with vulnerable people and their carers to ensure that people are as safe as possible in their own homes and in residential and nursing homes. They work with health and care provider partners to ensure that they have training and support to recognise and report abuse when it happens. Working alongside the police, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the health service, the district council ensure that all allegations of abuse are investigated and that vulnerable people are protected.

Wokingham Cllr Bob Wyatt, the council’s champion for older people said: “It is estimated that around 500,000 people may be abused at any one time in the UK, three quarters of who are aged 70 years and above and many are abused in their own homes by someone in a position of trust. It is only right that Wokingham District Council should support the Help the Aged and Action on Elder Abuse campaign which highlights the shocking truth about elderly abuse and provides advice on how to help someone who you suspect is being abused. Older people are amongst the most vulnerable people in our community and we must do all we can to protect them.”

You can help vulnerable people by:

1. Finding out more about abuse and how to stop it.
2. If you think that somebody you know may be being abused:

* Try to ask them about what you have noticed
* Listen to what they tell you and offer to seek help
* If you still have concerns contact Wokingham District Council on: (0118) 974 6800

You can also contact the Action on Elder Abuse confidential helpline on: 0808 808 8141

Wokingham District Council