Old people can be abused in care

Action on Elder Abuse, which carried out a six year study, says the figure only reflects "the tip of the iceberg".

It claims 46% of abusers are relatives and 34% are paid care workers.

It also says 40% of 80 to 89-year-olds suffer abuse and that 44% of all elderly victims are abused by the same person.

The report looked at 10,000 calls to its abuse hotline over the six year period.

The charity says the report shows how abuse can take many forms, from psychological and physical, sexual and simple neglect.

It ranges from threatening to put relatives in a home, to using medication to keep them docile.

Figures show that 19% of the cases reviewed suffered physical abuse, 12% suffered neglect and 3% were subjected to sexual abuse.

The charity, which published its report this week, is calling on the public to help stop abuse.

Abuse of elderly 34% suffer psychological abuse 20% suffer financial abuse 19% suffer physical abuse 12% suffer neglect 3% suffer sexual abuse

Gary Fitzgerald, chief executive of AEA, said: "This is still very much a taboo subject, because many people just don't want to believe that it is happening.

"They can't accept that the 80-year-old living next door is being beaten up by her son."

He added: "It is time the abuse was stopped. The AEA and Help the Aged are calling on you to bring this taboo and horrific crime to the public's knowledge.

"Just because we are old does not mean we are targets for abuse."

Health Minister Stephen Ladyman said abuse of the elderly was "unacceptable".

He said: "We will look seriously at the recommendations and we will continue to work with AEA to ensure this issue is not forgotten and that people who abuse older people are dealt with as harshly as possible."