Elder abuse
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Elder abuse is a single or repeated act (or lack of proper action) by a responsible individual which causes harm or distress to an older person.
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[edit] Types of elder abuse
There are several types of abuse of the elderly:
- Physical: e.g. hitting, punching, slapping, burning, pushing, restraining or giving too much medication or the wrong medication.
- Psychological: e.g. shouting, swearing, frightening, blaming, ignoring or humiliating a person; also common is threatening to place the person in a nursing home even though the person's physical or mental condition may not require such an action.
- Financial: e.g. illegal or unauthorised use of a person’s property, money, pension book or other valuables (including changing the person's will to name the abuser as heir), often fraudulently obtaining power of attorney, followed by deprivation of money or other property, or by eviction from own home.
- Sexual: e.g. forcing a person to take part in any sexual activity without his or her consent.
- Neglect: e.g. where a person is deprived of food, heat, clothing or comfort or essential medication.
- Rights abuse: denying the civil and constitutional rights of people who are old, but not declared by court to be mentally incapacitated.
- Self neglect: elders neglecting themselves by not caring about their own health or safety.
[edit] Common abusers of the elderly
Perpetrators of elder abuse can include anyone in a position of control or authority. An abuser can be a partner, a relative, a friend or neighbor, a volunteer worker, or a social worker.
It is estimated each year 1 million elderly Americans are physically, psychologically, sexually or financially abused by relatives.[1] The true number of elder abuse incidents by relatives is difficult to estimate because of the discretion maintained among family members. This is highlighted by the fact that more than 70% of abuse cases are reported by third parties.
The relative that is the perpetrator of the abuse is usually the spouse (59%) rather than the children (24%). Unexpectedly, the abused person is usually not dependent upon the abuser, but rather the abuser is dependent upon the abused. Such abuse usually comes during retirement when the relative faces difficulties with changed living patterns that accompanies the stress of constant companionship. With the aging of today's population, elder abuse will naturally increase. The family is society's most violent institution and location for elderly abuse.[2] The most common form of elder abuse is simply neglect and lack of care.
[edit] Self abuse and neglect
Elders can abuse / neglect themselves by not caring about their own personal health and well-being.[3]. Elder self neglect can lead to illness, injury or even death. Common needs that the senior may deny themselves or ignore are the following:
- Sustenance (Food or water)
- Cleanliness (Bathing and personal hygiene)
- Adequate clothing for climate protection
- Proper shelter
- Adequate safety
- Clean and healthy surroundings
- Medical attention for serious illness
- Essential medications
It should be noted that elders may choose to deny themselves some health or safety benefits, which may not be self-neglect. This may simply be their personal choice. Caregivers and other responsible individuals must honor these choices if the senior is sound of mind.
[edit] Abuse statistics
Approximately 60% of elder abuse is towards women. Also domestic violence in later life may be a continuation of long term partner abuse. In some cases, abuse may begin with retirement or the onset of a health condition. (Silent and Invisible: A Report on Abuse and Violence in the Lives of Older Women in British Columbia and Yukon, 2001)
The higher proportion of spousal homicides support the suggestion that abuse of older women is often a continuation of long term spousal abuse against women. In contrast, the risk of homicide for older men was far greater outside the family than within. (Statistics Canada, 1999, 38)
[edit] Abandonment
Elder abuse can also include deserting an elderly, dependent person with the intent to abandon them or leave them unattended at a place for such a time period as may be likely to endanger their health or welfare. (Oregon Revised Statutes)
[edit] New Zealand research
Research conducted in New Zealand broadly supports the above findings, with some variations. Of 1288 cases in 2002-2004, 1201 individuals, 42 couples and 45 groups were found to have been abused. Of these, 70 per cent were female. Psychological abuse (59%), followed by material/financial (42%) and physical abuse (12%) were the most frequently identified types of abuse. Sexual abuse occurred in 2 percent of reported cases.
Age Concern New Zealand found that the majority of abusers are family/whānau members (70%), most commonly sons or daughters (40%). Older abusers (those over 65 years) are more likely to be husbands.
(Age Concern Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services: An Analysis of Referrals for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2004. Age Concern New Zealand, November 2005.)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Aiken, L., (1989). Later life. 3rd Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, Hillsdale.
- ^ Baumhover, L., and Beall, C., (1996) Abuse, neglect and exploitation of older persons. Health Professions Press, Baltimore.
- ^ Tina de Benedictis, Ph.D., Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., (2007) Elder Abuse Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Help. Helpguide, helpguide.org.
