New report reveals urgent need to address neglect of older people and adults with disability in NSW

The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC), in partnership with the University of NSW Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), has released a report highlighting the pervasive and complex issue of neglect affecting older people and adults with disability across New South Wales. Funding was provided by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

The ADC is responsible for receiving and responding to reports concerning older people and adults with disability who may be experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse, neglect, or exploitation within their family, home, or community.

The report analysed 474 cases of alleged neglect, primarily managed by the ADC’s Community Supports and Investigations Unit and closed between 2021 and 2022.

Key findings of the report reveals:

• Neglect is widespread and frequently linked to coercive control, abuse, and social isolation.
• Neglect is an under-recognised form of domestic violence.
• Relatives, particularly primary carers, are the main alleged perpetrators.
• Service involvement, especially from aged care and disability providers, can be protective, yet serious neglect cases often lack such support.
• Social isolation is a major risk factor, with 44% of reports involving people who are socially isolated.
• There is a critical need for early intervention, improved service coordination, and greater awareness of criminal neglect.
• Not all neglect is intentional. Carer stress and poor health literacy are significant contributors.

The report calls for urgent action from health professionals, service providers, and policymakers to proactively identify, prevent, and address neglect, always guided by the views and wishes of those at risk. It highlights the need for enhanced guidance and protocols for aged care, disability, and health services; greater public awareness of criminal neglect and its consequences; and improved support for carers, along with better mechanisms to identify those at risk.

Commissioner Jeff Smith said the report shines a light on the hidden crisis of neglect among older people and adults with disability.

“The report has reinforced our understanding of the factors contributing to neglect and reveals a common link to coercive control and abuse, often financial abuse. Social isolation is a major warning sign that increases the risk and severity of neglect. This can be compounded by other factors such as location, with over half of the reports relating to people living in regional NSW.”

The Commissioner noted that this report and the work of the ADC highlight the importance of having services involved in a person’s life but reinforced the need for earlier action and greater awareness to ensure serious cases don’t miss out on timely support.

“Suspected and actual abuse must be identified and addressed promptly, always guided by the person’s views and wishes. Involvement from aged care and disability services can help protect against neglect, however we see serious cases often miss out on timely support. This is a call to action for all sectors - health, social services, GPs, and the broader community - to work together to ensure older people and adults with disability are safe, supported, and respected.”

Dr Megan Blaxland, Senior Research Fellow, University of NSW, Social Policy Research Centre said:

"The research helps us understand some of the many and complicated circumstances in which adults with disability and older people experience neglect. It can help organisations, who have contact with adults with disability and older people, to be more attuned to signs of neglect, so support and intervention can be offered earlier." 

The full report, including recommendations for policy and practice, is available at http://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/31553. A summary report can be found at https://ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/dcj/ageing-disability-commission/documents/reports-and-submissions/adc-neglect-summary.pdf.

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