Dorothy Wyatt is in her late 70s, she's frail and has a heart condition.

She was subjected to a half hour ordeal by a burglar who forced his way into her home after claiming to be a council official.

He kept shouting for more money. I said I haven't any more, if I had it I would give it to you to get you out

Dorothy Wyatt

"I thought he was going to strangle me, each time I went to get up he came over and put his hands over my face and held on so I couldn't breathe. I tried to kick but what could I do - I had slippers on."

"He kept shouting for more money. I said I haven't any more, if I had it I would give it to you to get you out. I was so frightened.

"When he took me upstairs, well, I didn't know what to think."

An ordeal like Dorothy's is shocking, but thankfully it is rarer than many believe.

The authorities stress that older people are 18 times less likely to be attacked than younger people - with single young men the most vulnerable targets.

But there is a general perception amongst the elderly that they are being targeted and this is creating a climate of fear.

Norman Gibson, a crime prevention officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland believes that fear can be as debilitating as crime itself.

He said: "For each victim we have thousands who make themselves prisoners unnecessarily because of the coverage of problems."

Police and charities working with older people all offer advice on crime prevention measures for the elderly, ranging from not keeping large sums of cash at home, to installing an entry phone or using a door chain.

It's about whether or not people are valued and respected and all too often older people are seen as a burden, out on limb

Gary Fitzgerald, Action on Elder Abuse

But Gary Fitzgerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, believes such measures do not address the underlying problem of attitudes to older people.

"It's about the perception of society. It's about whether or not people are valued and respected and all too often older people are seen as a burden, out on a limb."

Across the UK there is an increasing number of schemes which are going some way to addressing this problem.

The Building Bridges Project, in Belfast, brought together old and young for fun activities. The children were all pupils with behavioural problems.

Their principal at St Vincent's School, Brian Davey, was astounded by the effect of the inter-generational exercise.

"During the project we did not have one case of inappropriate behaviour. The kids were well behaved.

"It created understanding and respect and on the children's part, their self esteem was raised."

The elderly population is going to increase dramatically.

In the next 30 years, a third of the population will be over 65 and more such projects to address misunderstanding and mistrust between the generations are vital to stop increasing numbers of us becoming, victims of age.

Five Live Report, Victims of Age, is presented by Kate Sanderson and goes out at 1205 BST on Sunday 14 July on Radio Five Live.