First Published: Friday 15 June 2007, 05:24
Ken Livingstone yesterday called on the Government to do more to protect older people from abuse.
The Mayor's comments follow the publication of research showing that hundreds of thousands of elderly people are being abused in their own homes.
"This disturbing research shows how widespread elder abuse is. It is very often perpetrated by people who are close to the victims, who often have nowhere to turn to for help and are getting too little support from public services" said Mr Livingstone.
"I would urge the Government to take the strongest possible measures to protect older people. As well as the new guidelines for handling abuse cases I would like to see better support for carers and closer working with carers organisations, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector to help stop this unacceptable situation."
The issue of elder abuse was highlighted in the Mayor's older people strategy, Valuing Older People, and is due to be discussed next month at a conference on crime and older people.
The Mayor added that this research should not detract from recognition of the enormous amount of support that carers offer to older people:
"It should be remembered that the vast majority of carers do not mistreat those in their care. However a clear message should be sent to those who abuse older people that it is wrong and must stop."
For more information about The UK Study of Abuse and Neglect go to: www.comicrelief.com/elder-abuse
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