Elder abuse “an epidemic” says Blue Mountains Mayor

“I call it an epidemic, because sadly it has reached those proportions. A staggering 1 in 6 Australian seniors experience elder abuse. Four years ago, as we were entering the COVID-19 pandemic, that number was 1 in 20,” Mayor Greenhill said.

“We have an ageing population here in the Blue Mountains, which means this issue is affecting many more of our locals than it is around the rest of NSW.

“The over 65s group makes up over 22 per cent of our population. Across NSW that percentage is significantly lower at 17.7 per cent. This is a very real and growing issue that affects our most vulnerable community members in absolutely horrific ways.”