Age Concern social worker Marie Bennett has noticed a "big increase" in reported cases in the past 18 months.
About two new cases were confirmed each week and she got a "lot more" referrals.
An increase in elderly abuse victims seeking the services of Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women's Refuge has also been reported.
Supervisors said that in an average month about 12 women would access the organisation's safe houses, but over the past month this had increased to about 20, most of them elderly women.
Ms Bennett believed the referrals to Age Concern were a result of increased advertising and awareness of the issue.
Elderly people were beginning to speak up when they never used to, she said.
"I think we are getting stronger. We know it's not right and we can do something about it," she said.
Figures for 2009 were not yet available but in 2008, in Otago, there were 56 confirmed cases of elder abuse, which refers to abuse of people over 65.
Otago had the seventh highest numbers of confirmed cases out of 20 geographical areas reporting to Age Concern.
Of the nation's 961 referrals in 2008, 80% involved family members.
The most common form of elder abuse was financial.
Frequent cases included when families "helped themselves to their parents' money", demanded money for drugs and alcohol or moved in and lived off them.
Physical abuse also occurred and Ms Bennett said that sometimes was a result of unresolved family issues or alcohol and drugs.
Seeing an 80-year-old with bruises all over their face broke her heart.
However, the issue was not a new one.
"It has always been there, it's just been hidden.
"It's behind closed doors," she said.
Those who felt threatened could seek solace at Women's Refuge or a rest-home.
Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women's Refuge house supervisor Darlene Gore said she had noticed an increase in the past six months in women aged 60-plus coming to the organisation's safe houses.
"It's quite concerning that women are being abused at that age."
Funding co-ordinator Ricky Carr said the number of elderly people accessing the refuge had been "slowly creeping up" in the past 10 years.
With increasing financial pressure on families, the organisation was gearing up for it to worsen, he said.
Ms Bennett said a "whole raft" of issues within a house could lead to abuse and if these were worked on, the relationship could improve.
Who to contact
• Age Concern Otago
Tel: 03 477-1040, or;
www.ageconcern.org.nz
• Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women's Refuge
Tel: 03 455-0782, or;
www.womensrefuge.org.nz
