World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023
Today we join millions around the globe to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Our older residents are often some of our most vulnerable. They can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
We need to ensure all our older residents know what abuse is and that, if they experience it, they need to report it. We also need to encourage friends, family, professionals, volunteers and neighbours to speak out if they think someone might be being abused.
Throughout the week my team has been working with partners including Age Cymru, Aneurin University Health Board, Cyfannol, and Gwent Police to deliver sessions to communities groups across Gwent, raising awareness of this important issue.
Abuse can affect anyone. It could be physical, mental, sexual, or financial.
Physical abuse could include cuts, bruises, wounds, burns, broken bones, untreated injuries, poor skin condition or skin hygiene, dehydration and/or malnourished, weight loss, isolating victims from health and care services and damaged clothes or items in the home.
Mental abuse can include unlikely stories, reluctance to talk openly, confusion, anger without apparent cause, sudden behaviour changes, being emotionally upset or agitated, unexplained fear or becoming withdrawn, non-communicative or non-responsive.
Financial abuse can include changes to a person’s banking, wills or assets, unpaid bills when someone else is supposed to be paying them, excessive care costs, valuable items disappearing, and lack of money to meet daily needs such as food.
Please don’t suffer in silence, help is available.
Age Cymru Gwent
Provides a wide range of advice and support for older people including elder abuse and scam advice.
Call: 01633 240190
Lines are open between 9:00am and 2:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Live Fear Free
Live Fear Free provides help and support to people experiencing abuse 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Call: 0808 80 10 800
Text: 07860 077333
Action Fraud
Report fraud, suspicious texts or cybercrime to Action Fraud.
Call 0300 123 2040
Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm or report online: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Text 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you call the textphone 0300 123 2050.
Gwent Police
Call 101 to report an incident. Always call 999 in an emergency.
If you are unable to talk, dial 999 and press 5 5 when prompted by the operator. Help will be sent to your location.
Hourglass Cymru
Hourglass provides confidential help and support for older people at risk.
Call: 0808 808 8141
Text: 07860 052906
Gwent Safeguarding Board
If you are worried about the safety of an older person who may be at risk, contact Gwent Safeguarding. www.gwentsafeguarding.org.uk
Blaenau Gwent
Tel: 01495 315700
Email: DutyTeamAdults@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Caerphilly
Tel: 0808 100 2500
Email: IAAAdults@caerphilly.gov.uk
Torfaen
Tel: 01495 762200
Email: socialcarecalltorfaen@torfaen.gov.uk
Newport
Tel: 01633 656656
Email: firstcontact.adults@newport.gov.uk or pova.team@newport.gov.uk
Monmouthshire
Tel: 01873 735492
Email: MCCadultsafeguarding@monmouthshire.gov.uk