Elderly Aussies with dementia suffer abuse at hands of family and friends

Incidents of financial abuse against elders with money happen daily across Australia and it’s more likely to occur under this scenario.

About 21 per cent of older people with a disability or long-term health condition experience elder abuse each year.

Dementia Australia executive director of Services, Advocacy, and Research, Dr Kaele Stokes, said dementia and cognitive impairment could increase a person’s risk of experiencing elder abuse.

Dr Stokes said the disease impacted an individual’s cognition and decision-making skills and could make them more vulnerable to being taken advantage of.