Toowoomba elder abuse cases stack up as reports spike

Toowoomba is the epicentre of spike in elder abuse with malicious children taking advantage of their parents. The city has the second highest rate of elder abuse reporting in the state. 

Families are urged to be on the lookout for signs their loved ones may have been taken advantage of after a surge in elder abuse reports in Toowoomba.

Michelle Vichie, who heads the Toowoomba branch of the Office of the Public Trustee, pointed to an increase in matters where her office was called upon to administer an elderly person’s finances after fraud had been uncovered.

“Often the person accused of that appropriation is a family member, a carer or someone who the adult appointed under an enduring power of attorney,” she said.

The surge in cases is backed up data from the Elder Abuse Hotline.

It found a Toowoomba was tracking 21.3 per cent above the expected rate of reporting, based on the city’s demographics.

This was the second highest call rate in the state, behind Moreton Bay.

Ms Vichie said the COVID pandemic had played a role, as it had forced seniors into isolation, making them easy targets for malicious children.

“Along with COVID came financial distress, and when people are struggling, they may go to mum or dad to get assistance,” she said.

“There can be undue influence, or it could be that mum or dad just want to help their child.”

That abuse can start small, with a carer or child taking money ranging to assets being sold without consent.

Ms Vichie called on the public to look for the signs of abuse when visiting elderly friends and relatives.

“They can be physical injuries that cannot be explained, there can be changes in behaviour such as the person won’t make eye contact or they are afraid of a particular person, they may struggle to pay for medication, bills or the necessities.”

To safeguard against abuse Ms Vichie said older Australians should update their will and get professional legal advice before signing an enduring power of attorney.

Originally published as Toowoomba elder abuse cases stack up as reports spike