Elder Abuse

Abuse — it’s a subject that is difficult to consider and troublesome to discuss. When seniors have physical or mental frailties, they can become targets for abuse.

Elder abuse can take place anywhere it is not something that just occurs to those that live in an aged care facility or those that live at home alone. For many, the thought of intentionally taking advantage of an aged relation, especially a parent who has cared for them as a child, is difficult to imagine. However the reality is somewhat grimmer with statistics released recently by Age Concern showing that incidences of Elder Abuse and Neglect are still very much present throughout New Zealand and whilst the statistics are worrying enough the greater concern is around those cases of abuse and neglect that go unreported.

The most common form of abuse is psychological, closely followed by material/financial abuse. With the abuse being inflicted more commonly on women - of those being abused or neglected up to 70% of these are female. Of most concern is the fact that that 70% - 80% of abuse is committed by family members. With over 961 seniors reporting abuse via Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) Services in the year up to Sept 2009.

People that rely on others such as service providers to assist them activities of daily living are in a vulnerable position. Many let abuse continue because they are afraid of what will happen if they speak up. They are afraid they will get less care or that the abuse will get worse. As a caregiver you need to be sure that you always respect the rights of the clients you work with and you report all signs of abuse.

Long Term Effects

Elder abuse has long term effects. Abuse can significantly affect the health of the client due to the stress it causes. It can affect someone physically, psychologically, sexually or socially. It can also cause social withdrawal and decrease the client’s ability to contribute to society. It can also cause problems in creating relationships, intimacy; it may even cause reliance on alcohol or medication. Any type of abuse will result in an emotional distress and can leave a person feeling fearful and depressed. Often long term professional assistance such as counselling will be needed to assist people that have been abused and give them back a feeling on confidence.

Causes of Abuse and Vulnerability

There are many theories as to why elder abuse occurs, but most link back to a relationship between dependency and vulnerability to the abuser, especially for older adults. Many factors can cause an older adult to become vulnerable, such as loneliness and the need for companionship or dependency on someone for basic needs and can cause abuse. Vulnerability can be due to lack of knowledge, lack of physical ability and strength, social isolation or mental deterioration. The abuser is commonly the primary caregiver from within the family. This dependency can create a burden or stress on the caregiver, which can then cause abusive behaviour. A power and control relationship creates vulnerability for seniors; this relationship can develop from dependency and can result in elder abuse. Seniors often feel afraid to report abuse and so the abuse continues until someone notices warning signs. The type of abuse that seniors are vulnerable to includes physical, sexual, emotional, neglect and financial abuse.

Vulnerability Risk Factors

• Health Status
• Cognitive ability
• Social network

Power Relationship Risk Factors

• Depending on someone for necessities
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse

Abuse can occur because of many reasons

• Ageism
• Financial Pressures
• Societal ideas of families and individuals

Reasons abuse isn’t reported:

• They don’t want to lose their caregiver
• Afraid of being isolated
• What the abuser may do if heard about the reporting
• public exposure and outside intervention,
• the reported abuse will not be believed, and/or
• they are responsible for abusive behaviour.
• Afraid of going into hospital or rest home or hospital

What can you do to stop elder abuse?

Don’t ignore it, contact your local Age Concern office and discuss your concerns

Reference:   Ministry of Health (MOH) - 2015