When we hear "elder abuse", we might think first about physical abuse, but it can take many forms.
The most common is financial abuse.
It can be stealing money from an older person, forcing them to change their will or forging their signature on a bank document.
There's also psychological, emotional and sexual abuse.
Isolation makes older people more vulnerable.
Alexander Abramoff is an Aged Care Manager.
He says that being an older migrant can increase the chances of social isolation.
This vulnerability can make older people targets of abuse by strangers and often their own family.
Victoria's Elder Abuse Prevention Association says in 90 per cent of cases, the abuser is a family member.
Greg Mahney, the CEO of Advocare, a Western Australian organisation supporting older people, says the abusers are mostly adult children.
Aged Care Manager Alexander Abramoff says language abilities limit the network of older migrants and also limits their understanding of financial or legal decisions.
Reporting abuse is also harder if the victim doesn't speak much English.
Advocare's Greg Mahney explains that's why organisations like his use independent translators.
Each state has an organisation supporting victims of elder abuse.
Advocare's Greg Mahney recommends calling their helpline.
And if you can't call the helpline, there are other people whom you can confide in like your GP, a religious leader or a friend you trust.
Melissa Chaperlin is a solicitor at the New South Wales Senior Right Service. She wants to make sure older people understand their right to make their own decisions.
If you think that you or somebody you know is victim of elder abuse, call your state's elder abuse helpline to get support.
