ELDER ABUSE HITS CLOSE TO HOME
ELDER ABUSE HITS CLOSE TO HOME
Over the recent months of COVID-19, a small percentage of older people have experienced more vulnerability to elder abuse and neglect. At Age Concern, we are focusing on why ‘Elder Abuse hits close to home’, and how Age Concerns work to reduce the harmful effects of this often-hidden issue on older people in our society.
Elder abuse and neglect is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elder abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, lost productivity, isolation, and despair.
Elder abuse is classified into different types. The abuse experienced by an older person / kaumātua usually involves more than one type of abuse. In the cases seen by Age Concern’s Elder Abuse services in the past year:
• Psychological abuse
• Financial abuse
• Physical abuse
• Neglect
• Self-neglect
More than half of abused older people are over the age of 75. Forty per cent of abused older people live alone and more than half of alleged abusers are adult children or grandchildren. In more than two out of five cases the alleged abusers live with the older person.
There are simple things we can do to be kind and prevent abuse:
• Love and cherish your older relatives
• Phone, zoom or facetime older people
• Visit older people in your neighbourhood.
• Involve older people in your social activities.
• Encourage older people to make their own decisions.
• Support older people to use their money for their needs.
• Honour older people’s wisdom.
• Enable older people to set their own pace.
• Speak respectfully and listen to older people’s stories.
• Seek advice from any Elder Abuse Service or Age Concern if you think an older person is being abused or neglected.
Age Concern Wellington is a charity and relies on the support of volunteers and public donations to do much of the work we do. To help us help older people, please consider making a donation of your time or money. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a remarkable difference: you can mail a cheque to the address at the bottom of this newsletter, or donate online by clicking going to. www.acwellington.org.nz...
🪱🐦 When are you the most productive? 🌙🦉
The Post has been diving into our daily habits, and research suggests being an early bird or a night owl isn’t just a choice—it’s biology! We all have that specific time when our brains finally "click" into gear.
This raises a big question for the modern workplace. To get the best out of everyone, should employers accommodate our natural body clocks? This idea is at the heart of the four-day work week and flexible scheduling movements.
We want to hear from you:
1. When does your brain "click" into gear?
2. Would a flexible (or shortened) schedule change the way you work?
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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45.7% I avoid spending money on coffee
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42.6% I still indulge at my local cafe
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11.7% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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