STATE Parliament is set to inquire into abuse of the elderly, amid fears seniors are targeted for financial scams and physical and sexual abuse in larger numbers than currently reported.

Dignity for Disability MP Kelly Vincent has moved for the issue to be examined by Parliament’s Social Development Committee. Public hearings are expected to start next year.

Ms Vincent said she was concerned older people who may be disabled, mentally impaired or socially isolated were being taken advantage of and unable to speak out for help.

State Government figures record the most common types of abuse as psychological and financial, with 80 per cent of it inflicted by a family member of the older person. Ms Vincent said it was difficult to quantify the scale of the problem.

“That is one of the things we want to look at it, how wide- spread it is and if it is not being reported then what are the reasons,” Ms Vincent said.

She said disabled people were at least twice as likely to suffer sexual abuse during their life and many of the factors that contribute to that may also apply to the elderly.

Expansion of mandatory reporting for older people could be a helpful measure, she said.

Ageing Minister Zoe Bettison in June released a five-year plan aimed at reducing “elder abuse”, with measures including a phone helpline and new information website.

“Older South Australians should not be at risk of any form of abuse by people they know and trust, particularly during vulnerable periods,” Ms Bettison said.

Other measures in the plan include training for carers, nurses and other public sector workers, as well as support for further research and special projects for indigenous and migrant communities.