Seniors facing financial abuse from relatives

The National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) is warning that financial exploitation remains the most commonly reported form of elder abuse in Jamaica, with family members named as the alleged perpetrators in all cases reported to the council between 2025 and May 2026.

According to data provided by the NCSC, financial abuse accounted for approximately 32 per cent of reported elder abuse cases between 2019 and 2024, followed by neglect and abandonment at 29 per cent and physical abuse at 19 per cent. Emotional and psychological abuse also remain concerns, although the agency noted that those forms of abuse are often “less visible, less reported and more difficult to detect”.

Since January 2025, the NCSC said it has received 53 reports of elder abuse, of which 18 involved financial abuse. 

“As Jamaica’s older population continues to grow, there is increasing concern that more seniors may become vulnerable to financial exploitation, particularly those who are dependent on others for care or assistance with their finances,” the NCSC said.

But getting those cases reported remains one of the biggest challenges. Many older persons are reluctant to come forward because the alleged abuser is often someone they trust or depend on, including a child, grandchild, other family member, or caregiver.

“They may fear retaliation, abandonment, public humiliation, loss of support, family conflict, or being placed in an institution,” the council said. “This contributes to significant under-reporting and means that official figures likely represent only a fraction of the problem.”

Support is available through the police, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders. Reports of suspected abuse can also be made to the NCSC, which provides referrals, intervention, advocacy and collaboration with relevant agencies.

However, the agency acknowledged that “some cases are difficult to manage and the time to resolution may be lengthy”, as it has to operate within the ambit of the law.

As part of its efforts to strengthen protection for older Jamaicans, the NCSC is moving to establish Parish Elder Abuse Response Networks. These are intended to “strengthen coordination among agencies, improve referral pathways, facilitate timely interventions, and ensure a more comprehensive response” to older persons who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. The NCSC urged Jamaicans not to treat elder abuse as a private family matter.

“It is a serious social and public health issue and a violation of older people’s human rights,” the agency said. It added that elder abuse occurs at all socio-economic levels and in all types of families.

The agency urged families, communities, churches, civic groups and institutions to learn the signs of abuse, speak up when they see something concerning and support older persons who may be vulnerable. Older adults are also being encouraged to join groups and expand their social networks, with the agency noting that isolation is “almost always a risk factor” among abused older persons.