New data released by the state’s Adult Safeguarding Unit this week showed 28 per cent of 1,436 calls reporting SA elder abuse in 2021 and 2022 pointed the finger at adult sons and another 18 per cent at adult daughters.

“Sadly, we know that one in six older Australians experience abuse, often from someone they know and trust such as a family member,” Health Minister Chris Picton said.

The figures are contained in the Future Directions to Safeguard the Rights of Older South Australians 2023-2027 blueprint released this week, that told of one reported case relating to an 80-year-old woman who walked her dog each night and chatted with neighbours.

“Penny’s (not her real name) husband passed away a few years ago and her adult son had moved in,” according to the report from the safeguarding unit’s Abuse Prevention Phone Line.

“Her neighbour became concerned when she hadn’t seen Penny for a while and made a house call. She found Penny was not able to open the door, said she was locked in the house and did not have a key, food, or access to a phone.”

The phone line most commonly heard concerns raised about emotional abuse followed closely by financial abuse – and older women are most likely to be targeted.

Data also showed 11 per cent of callers to the prevention line were from community members concerned about ‘other family members’ being abusive to an older South Australian while seven per cent blamed a husband or male partner.

Picton said this year’s State Budget directed $8.7 million to the Adult Safeguarding Unit to ensure there are “sufficient resources for complaints about any adult who is vulnerable and experiencing abuses”.

Extensive consultation with organisations and a diverse range of 2400 older community members over 2021 formed the foundations for the future direction plan to safeguard “the rights of older South Australians” with a key focus to tackle ageism and shift “negative narratives on ageing and older people”.

“Older people also unfortunately tell us that there are many instances where they feel their rights are overlooked, they are not valued and their voices are not heard,” Picton said.

Key risks making older people vulnerable to SA elder abuse include depending on someone else for care or financial help, not having enough money or having assets and wealth, social isolation and insecure or unsafe housing.

The report showed 61 per cent of older people “don’t seek help or advice when they are experiencing abuse or mistreatment” and another 44 per cent of older people in the SA community “did not feel connected to their neighbourhood and community”.

Ageism and loneliness are listed as key issues to tackle with the report finding news stories, social media, television and movies show negative stereotypes that “feed prejudices and underpin discrimination” that over time makes younger South Australians think being older is ‘bad’.

Along with a need for greater choice and access to homes where older people feel safe. Concerns were raised about the affordability of adequate housing, saying the gender pay gap and ‘casualisation’ of the workforce meant women in particular were often unable to save enough money for their own home or to have saved as much superannuation.

SA Health launched a $50,000 Elder Abuse Prevention campaign to coincide with world Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 across digital and social media, radio, print and on screens in regional and metropolitan shopping centres, that will run until the end of July.

SA Health is running a campaign to tackle SA elder abuse. Photo: SA Health

Office for Ageing Well executive director Cassie Mason said the campaign urged younger South Australians to reflect on how they treat the older people in their life “so we can address the issue of ageism before it leads to abuse or mistreatment”.

“It reminds families, friends and the broader community that older people have rights, including the right to make their own decisions, to work, be safe, and be treated with dignity and respect,” she said.

“I encourage all South Australians to consider their attitude towards older people, stand up to ageism and help shut down the potential for abuse or mistreatment.”

Anyone aware of an adult at risk of abuse can contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310.