Hourglass

Hourglass (Formally Action on Elder Abuse (AEA)) is a specialist organisation that operates across the four nations of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Unlike other ‘older people’s organisations’ we focus exclusively on the issue of elder abuse, not as one issue among many, but as a single focus to our work. For this reason we have extensive expertise that is not available from any other charity or agency. AEA was established in 1993 by a group of practitioners from health and social care, and by academics and representatives of the voluntary sector who were concerned about the lack of information and assistance for those who were abused or were at risk of abusing. And today, we address abuse within people’s own homes (whether by family, friends or paid staff), within sheltered housing, and within care homes and hospitals. We are a multi-disciplinary membership organisation, and our members are drawn from health and social care services, regulators, policy makers, academics, and members of the public, including older people, their families and friends. We aim to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness; encouraging education; promoting research; and collecting and disseminating information. We provide up-to-date information for our members through our Action Points newsletter; run conferences on elder abuse and related issues; give presentations to organisations, big and small; produce leaflets, resource materials and reports for practitioners and the public; provide training and education to practitioners; and act as a resource for television, radio and the press. Our vision is a society which values older people and one in which they and other adults can live free from abuse perpetrated by those in whom they have an expectation of trust. Where such abuse occurs we seek an environment in which it can be identified and addressed. Get in touch with us today to find out how you can help us reach this goal.