ONE in five older people in the north is likely to be experiencing some form of financial abuse.
New research carried out by the Commissioner for Older People has laid bare the extent of crime against the elderly, including theft, fraud and the misuse of money.
More than 1,000 people aged 60 and over from across the north took part in the survey and the sample indicates that more than 75,000 older people could be experiencing some form of financial abuse.
This can range from feeling pressured into buying something, to family trying to prevent spending in order to maximise their inheritance.
The report entitled 'The Unsettling Truth' also revealed that some seven per cent of those surveyed had experience abuse which. in line with the representative sample. equates to around 25,000 men and women.
The survey found that incidents of abuse were highest in the council district of Ards and North Down (32 per cent) and lowest in Causeway Coast and Glens (9 per cent) with Belfast about average at 21 per cent.
The Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch initiated the research because there was "confusion around the scale and scope of the problem". He said he was "shocked and saddened" by the findings.
"The findings of this report must underpin action to tackle financial abuse across Northern Ireland," he said.
Action on Elder Abuse Northern Ireland Director Veronica Gray said financial abuse can "ruin an older person's life".
"The main message we need to get out there is simple: recognise it, report it, stop it," she said.
At present there are around 400,000 elderly people living in Northern Ireland, but the population is estimated to rise to 507,000 by 2026.
