This useful article from The Senior online magazine explains what to look out for, and interviews Professor Bianca Brijnathat at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) for professional insights.
From the obvious signs of physical assault to the more sneaky hiding of certain activities or emotional guilt trips for support, elder abuse takes many forms.
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence study in 2021 found one in six older Australians experience elder abuse in any given year, but only a third of victims sought help.
Speaking with The Senior, Professor Bianca Brijnathat at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) said at times, people who experience elder abuse don't recognise it's happening to them, or if they do, there's "a huge sense of shame attached to it".
"Often perpetrators are family members, and in particular adult children. You can imagine that it is a cause of great shame for older people that, 'How can my adult child do this to me?'."
Other family members, friends, care staff and more may cause or contribute to elder abuse.
Sometimes perpetrators might not realise what they're doing is not OK, perhaps due to entitlement, or misunderstanding a cultural custom.
Each state and territory has its own laws, regulations and support networks for tackling the issue, plus places to get help.