Age Action Ireland has called on anyone who suspects an elderly person is being abused to contact the Health Service Executive following an increase in the number of barring and safety orders taken out by parents against adult children.
In 2006, 16 per cent more barring orders were granted to parents against their adult children, up from 173 in 2005 to 200, according to figures released by the Courts Service.
And the number of safety orders granted to parents increased by 12 per cent, from 91 in 2005 to 102 in 2006.
Interim barring orders and protection orders, given in advance of barring and safety orders, were also up. A further 247 barring orders and 223 safety orders, applied for in 2006, were subsequently withdrawn or struck out.
When a barring order is granted against an adult child, an offence is committed if he or she enters the family home.
A safety order prohibits a person from committing further acts of violence or threatening violence, but does not prevent the person from entering the family home.
Many of the orders processed by the courts are taken out by elderly parents against their middle-aged children.
Though there are no figures on elder abuse in Ireland, Age Action Ireland estimates that up to 23,000 older people here are victims. The figure is based on international research, which shows that between 3 and 5 per cent of older populations are affected.
From the calls received by the organisation's helpline, elder abuse is most common in older people's own homes and most frequently perpetrated by someone related to the older person, though it can also be committed by someone employed to care for the older person.
The reasons for the abuse are not fully understood but may include poor quality long-term relationships, a carer's inability to provide the level of care required, a pattern of family violence in the past and social isolation of the carer.
Eamon Timmins, spokesman for Age Action Ireland, said that it is often very difficult for victims of elder abuse, which includes neglect and psychological abuse as well as physical violence, to do anything about the situation themselves.
"It takes a lot for the victim to come forward because they do not want to lose their family member who may also be their carer," he said.
"There is also a fear that they may be put into a nursing home. In our experience it is usually a concerned relative or neighbour who makes the first contact."
Mr Timmins said the legal system is the last resort for victims of elder abuse and more applications for barring and safety orders are withdrawn than are granted.
"There is often no need to call in the army," he said.
"Very often the abuse stops when the issue is raised; all it takes to stop it is for the process to begin. Anyone who thinks abuse is happening has a responsibility to report it to the HSE."
In an effort to address the problem, the HSE has appointed 25 of an intended 32 elder abuse officers around the country.
The officers work with public health nurses and healthcare workers in residences for older people, day centres and long-stay settings as well as with the Garda and the legal profession.
A public awareness campaign on elder abuse will begin in the autumn, the HSE has said.
