An estimated 340,000 older people are abused every year in this country in their own homes – and only 10% of cases are acted upon. The abuse can take many forms – physical, emotional or financial. And a disturbing 70% of incidents involve members of the person’s own family. Something has to change, says Mature Times editor Tony Watts.

The case of three pensioners who were defrauded of almost two million pounds between them has brought forward calls for older people to be on their guard against fraudsters – and to report any incidents of people trying to harass them out of money. All too often, fraud cases go unreported because the victims fear the embarrassment, or that they may not be believed.

Enfield Council and its partners have launched a single point of contact to report abuse of an adult at risk. The Enfield Adult Abuse Line - 020 8379 5212 - has been launched in conjunction with the new Safeguarding Adults Strategy, which is about how to prevent abuse and ensure a good-quality service when reports of abuse are made.

Reacting to the launch of a consultation on its 'No secrets' guidance on protecting vulnerable adults from abuse by the Department of Health, Lizzie McLennan, Senior Social Care Policy Officer, has accused the Government of not making the combating of elder abuse a priority.

A large part of my job entails visiting and liaising with many care homes - and I agree with the many findings about hidden abuse and neglect.

Health minister Ivan Lewis has announced plans for a three year study into abuse of the elderly in NHS hospitals and care homes - and is promising changes to the way the Human Rights Act applies to elderly people in care homes.

Southwark's Safeguarding Adults Partnership has launched a ‘Let’s protect them this Christmas’ campaign to bring people’s attention to the sad statistics around abuse of older people. In the UK four per cent of those aged 65 and over suffer from some form of abuse - often carried out by a member of their own family or someone close to them.