Adrienne Nairn, who now lives in New Zealand will be selling copies of her book My Brother My Enemy at WH Smiths in Exeter tomorrow (Thursday).
The book details a protracted legal dispute involving Adrienne and her brother over the care of her stepmother.
She explains: "I was motivated to write a book to highlight what can happen and if it helps warn others of the dangers that is great."
Mrs Nairn moved
to New Zealand in 2002 and published the book with the aid of a ghost
writer three years ago.
Elder
abuse can take a variety of different forms, not just physical, but
also emotional and financial and Mrs Nairn says it is more widespread
than many people realise.
Government
recognition is also increasing with ministers using the global day of
awareness to call on people to commit to understanding signs that an
older person could be vulnerable to abuse.
The
Minister of State for Community and Social Care, Alistair Burt, said:
"Every older person deserves to live out their life in health and
security. Yet, every year, thousands of older people are denied that
most basic right because of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day, focuses attention to this global public health
issue.
"Victims of elder abuse are parents
and grandparents, neighbours and friends. Elder abuse cuts across race,
gender, culture, and circumstance, and whether physical, emotional, or
financial, it takes an unacceptable toll on individuals and families
across our country.
"Seniors who
experience abuse or neglect face a heightened risk of health
complications and premature death, while financial exploitation can rob
men and women of the security they have built over a lifetime.
Tragically, many older people suffer in silence, burdened by fear,
shame, or impairments that prevent them from speaking out about abuse.
"We
owe it to older people to expose elder abuse wherever we find it and
take action to bring it to an end. Together, all of us can play a role
in addressing this crisis. Today, let us speak out against elder abuse.
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