With Remembrance Day shortly upon us it is right we turn our attention to remembering those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our rights and values.

There can be nothing more powerful than to give up your life so others might enjoy freedom from tyranny and cruelty.

Not everybody who endured war and deprivation died and many of those who suffered returned to build our society.

Many women maintained the country and many found themselves widowed.

So please, when rightly remembering those who died, spare a moment's thought for the many people who are now facing abuses at the hands of some families and care staff.

The Commons Health Select Committee earlier this year accepted as many as 500,000 older people are being abused across the UK.

Our charity's helpline, 0808 808 8141, takes hundreds of calls each year. We all have a duty to protect them, as they once protected us.

Gary Fitzgerald Action on Elder Abuse