'This is going on for years': Elder abuse increases by 67% across Cork and Kerry

There has been a 67% increase in reports of suspected elder abuse since 2019 in Cork and Kerry, with 12,335 referrals in the last five years.

HSE South West’s Safeguarding and Protection Team helps adults over 65 and people with intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities when there are concerns about abuse.

There were 2,889 referrals in 2024 and 2,911 in 2023, compared to 1,880 in 2022, 1,583 in 2021, 1,342 in 2020, and 1,730 in 2019, figures provided to The Echo by the HSE show.

The most common concerns relate to psychological abuse (399 cases), physical abuse (309), neglect (98), financial abuse (90), sexual abuse (50), institutional abuse (33), and discriminatory abuse (10).

Cork advocate for the elderly Paddy O’Brien said this abuse often happens within families, adding: “There are many elderly people being abused, often by their son or daughter putting pressure on them for money, and it’s usually an elderly mother or a father living on their own.

“A lot of people would go to the post office to draw their weekly pension for them and give them some of it and keep the extra, or keep all of the money. Often, this is going on for years.”

“When I speak to people in that situation, they say they’ve been told if their son doesn’t get the money, he’ll put them into a nursing home, so they’re often threatened that way,” Mr O’Brien said.

“A big problem is that elderly people do not speak out against their very own. I’ve heard of the whole family turning against [a parent] if they threaten to go to the gardaí, tell them they won’t come to visit with their grandchildren anymore.”

He said that public health nurses should call to the homes of elderly people once a week or once a month.

“I would say to those people experiencing this, what your son or daughter or grandchild is doing is wrong,” he said. 

“They have no control over you going to a nursing home, no say whatsoever, so don’t let them hold that over you.

“Go to your local community association or HSE office, and let them take it from there.”

Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central Pádraig Rice said: “This shocking increase in referrals must act as a catalyst for change.

“It’s now over a year since the Law Reform Commission recommended a robust regulatory framework, including the introduction of safeguarding legislation. But there is still no sign of that safeguarding bill.

“One of the most distressing examples of the legal and regulatory vacuum is that HSE social workers still do not have the right to enter private nursing homes to investigate suspected abuse. That’s some 80% of all nursing homes in the State.”

A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: “This has been a 67% increase in referrals since 2019. Between January and April 2025, nearly 1,000 referrals have been received.

“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

• If you have a concern, the Cork Kerry Safeguarding Team on 021 4927550, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm, or report concerns of abuse via the online HSE adult safeguarding portals.