Abuse may be:

  • Physical Abuse—inflicting physical pain or injury on the older person, e.g. slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means.

  • Sexual Abuse—non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

  • Neglect—the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable older person.

  • Exploitation—the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else's benefit.

  • Emotional Abuse—inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an older person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening.

  • Abandonment—desertion of a vulnerable older person by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

  • Self-neglect—characterised as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks and that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety.


Elder Abuse Response Contacts: Febe Camacho
 07 346 2096   febe.camacho@familyfocus.org.nz