Many reports involved more than one type of abuse of an older person, the HSE said of its data that is being released to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

A key concern for the HSE this year is also neglect, including older people not having enough food, or the right food.

Elder abuse can also be physical, including rough handling, pushing, shoving, hitting, force feeding, and inappropriate use of medication.

Older people can be vulnerable to financial and online abuse, either by strangers or people known to them. This can include exploitation as well as misuse of their money or property.

Sexual abuse is also a concern that HSE teams can hear about, including any sexual act without consent or when somebody can’t give consent.

On Monday, HSE Southwest marks World Elder Abuse Day with events and videos shared on its YouTube channel.

Kevin Collins is the principal social worker with the adult safeguarding and protection team for these counties.

“Something as ordinary as a meal can tell us a great deal about whether a person’s rights, wishes and wellbeing are being respected,” he said.

“Having access to nutritious food, adequate hydration, choice, and support at mealtimes is fundamental to health and quality of life. Older adults should be supported to eat and drink in a way that respects their preferences, independence, and dignity.” 

The team has seen “serious consequences” arise when people miss meals or are not helped to eat if they struggle to use cutlery or cook anymore.

Safeguarding begins with noticing these experiences, listening to older people and responding when something does not seem right.

The team works with community groups to raise awareness of these risks. This year, Cork City Council and Kerry County Council will light up their buildings purple on Monday to highlight the risks.

The HSE warned: “Elder abuse remains widely under-recognised and under-reported and can take many forms.” 

It said this can happen in someone’s home as well as in places such as hospitals or nursing homes.

Just last month, the Oireachtas Health Committee called on the Department of Health to act on the long-delayed Adult Safeguarding Bill.

It warned that the lack of legislation has created opportunities for people to abuse vulnerable adults.

“There is a persistent failure to report the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in Ireland,” its report said.

Report rapporteur, Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane, said : “Time and again, devastating failures are exposed where adults are recklessly exposed to harm, coercion, or indeed suffer it.

“Despite the Law Reform Commission first raising concerns about the absence of statutory safeguarding laws 15 years ago, we still do not have such laws.” 

• Raise concerns at: HSE South West Safeguarding Team on 021-4927550 or freephone 1800-225500 between 9am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Monday to Friday.