Half of bank workers witness financial abuse of elderly
Almost half of Ulster Bank workers say they have witnessed a case of elder financial abuse.
The figures, released to mark World Elder Abuse Day, show more than 13,000 cases were referred to the HSE up to the end of 2013.
Financial abuse is the second most common form of mistreatment and is most often perpetrated by a family member.
"Ever year, hundreds of older people are facing demands for money from their families - they're having their pension money taken, they're losing control of their bank accounts," said Advocacy officer for Age Action, Justin Moran.
"To make it worse, in the overwhelming majority of elder financial abuse, the perpetrators are immediate family members."
He said it was vital that cases be reported to the HSE's specialists on the issue, if they think they might be a victim of financial or psychological elder abuse.
