Allegations of elder abuse almost doubled last year, it was disclosed tonight.
New figures showed more than 1,840 cases of suspected ill-treatment were referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2008.
The report showed the number jumped from 927 cases reported in a 10-month period a year earlier.
It is understood that of all the concerns raised, nearly two-thirds of the victims were female.
More than a quarter involved allegations of psychological abuse, a fifth concerned neglect, some 16 per cent dealt with financial matters, and 12 per cent suspicions of physical assault.
The alleged abusers were primarily people with the closest relationship to the older person - such as a child or spouse - while the most common person to report a case was a public health nurse, hospital or HSE staff member.
The HSE said it was committed to protecting older people from all forms of abuse, regardless of where it occurred or who the perpetrators might be.
“The HSE continues to make significant progress in combating all forms of elder abuse in our society,” said a spokeswoman.
The HSE said its elder abuse service document, to be officially published later this week, also outlined important developments made over the last 12 months in relation to this issue.
“Special staff working through local health offices are daily raising public awareness of the problem of elder abuse,” the spokeswoman said.
“Some of the developments aimed at highlighting the problem include the appointment of a number of senior case workers, a public awareness campaign in relation to elder abuse, the establishment of a national centre for the protection of older people in UCD, and the compilation of detailed data on reported abuse in this country.”
“While progress has been made, the HSE acknowledges that its efforts must continue in order to improve and further develop its services and work in collaboration with other agencies in the fight against elder abuse.”
Frank Murphy, chairman of the HSE’s national elder abuse steering committee, added: “Over time the collection and collation of elder abuse data will provide invaluable in informing the planning and delivering of services for older people.
“The HSE will continue to develop data collection systems in 2009 and beyond.”
PA