AN elderly woman suffering from dementia has been saved by police who caught the carer allegedly abusing her in the act.

The 81-year-old was rescued by police officers who saw the incident unfold at a home in Station Street in Thirroul, near Wollongong, about 10.45pm on Friday.

Police then arrested a 28-year-old woman, Alicia Gawronski, and charged her with elder abuse and domestic violence offences.

Ms Gawronski faced court on Saturday where police documents revealed she is a legal guardian and full-time carer for the alleged victim, who she has been living with for several months.

Police said they overheard moaning, shouting and about 11 slapping noises when they attended the address on Friday night.

They said the ordeal unfolded when they saw Ms Gawronski allegedly walk the victim from the bathroom through the kitchen and into the loungeroom.

Police said they saw the elderly woman fall over and Ms Gawronski verbally abuse the woman before allegedly punching her with a closed fist to the inner thigh of her left leg.

They claim they heard Gawronski say to the woman, “do it again, I dare ya”.

Police said they also observed Ms Gawronski lift both of the older woman’s legs, causing her to fall on to her back.

When the victim said she was scared, Gawronski allegedly replied “yeah, you oughta be scared, especially where you’re gunna go the nurses will beat the f**k out of you every day”.

The elderly lady has been taken to the Wollongong Hospital for treatment for several injuries.

Gawronski was granted bail in court on Saturday with conditions including that she abide by the conditions of the AVO, reside at a separate Illawarra address, not to approach or contact the victim and not to go into any place where the victim resides.

Inspector Don Faulds from Wollongong Police District said elder abuse could take various forms such as physical, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse.

“These vulnerable people need the communities help to be their voice,” he said.

“In this instance one call from the public has stopped this horrific act.

“Attending police did a great job with the victim’s welfare until ambulance arrived.

“To see an elderly woman treated in this way was described by attending police as disgraceful.”