Elder abuse remains underreported in Barbados, with social care workers investigating at least ten reports a month, says director of the National Assistance Board (NAB) Colleen Walcott.
“The social work section can have up to ten reports or more of elder abuse a month. You can get them, not only from home care workers, but from any member of the public or you can get referrals from other organisations as well.
“Every case has to be investigated, the officers have to go out and do an assessment. Abuse is out there, it is underreported, and it is not restricted to home care recipients,” she said.
The NAB director was speaking yesterday after a church service to commemorate Senior Citizen’s Month at St George Parish Church.
Walcott said not all cases were cut and dry and some had to be handled differently as there may not be any malice involved. (CA)