Today, 15 June, is World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day, a day that is aimed at raising awareness of the fact that abuse of the elderly is more widespread than people think.

In a statement, the DOI said that between four and six per cent of elderly people suffer some form of abuse, adding that the varying forms of abuse were widespread.

One of the main factors leading to abuse is that the elderly are more often than not dependent on others and cannot defend themselves. Elderly people are also stereotyped as being weak, which also means that they can become easy targets for such abuse.

Individuals who abuse elderly people are usually those closest to them. Elderly people are subject to theft and fraud by members of their own family.

Also, in residential institutions, elderly people can end up becoming victims of abuse at the hands of those taking care of them.

The DOI said that, while it can be a hard task to take care of the elderly, abuse can never be tolerated.

Elderly people should be made aware of their rights, said the DOI, and people who care for them, especially those who care for them in their own homes, should be given the support they need.