For many years, Elder Abuse was a hidden, unspoken issue in society.
Similar to wife-beating, incest, and child abuse, it was a private
problem kept within the confines of the domestic realm. But as a form of
family violence, it has remained under or mis-diagnosed,
under-reported, and poorly addressed by public policy even if it is not
uncommon that if one type of abuse is occurring within a home, other
forms of abuse may be (or will soon be) taking place. Meanwhile, elderly
abuse is still often ignored by health professionals, and sadly, most
perpetrators of the abuse are usually one’s own family members.
As the elderly population multiplies, so will the incidence of elder abuse. One out of every 20 elderly people will be a victim of neglect or physical, psychological or financial abuse this year.
Extreme cases of elder abuse have obvious manifestations, like pressure marks on the body, broken bones, depression, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, unattended medical needs, or strained, tense relationships. But most elder abuse is subtle. It is difficult to tell the difference between normal interpersonal stress and abuse. Thus, it seems, elder abuse and neglect are often “hidden”.
But the phenomenon of elder abuse is becoming increasingly recognized by both medical facilities and social agencies. More and more studies have highlighted the seriousness and magnitude of elder abuse as an issue concerning the health and welfare of older persons. As such, Elder Abuse is now considered a major public health and human rights issue.
DEFINING ELDERLY ABUSE
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Toronto Declaration on Elder Abuse defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, a lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person.” It is not just an intentional negligent act that causes harm to a vulnerable adult, but may actually consist of neglect, abuse, and actual violence against an older person. It may take the form of physical, psychological and emotional abuse, financial or material exploitation, medical maltreatment, even sexual exploitation and abandonment.
FACTS AND FIGURES AT A GLANCE
Statistics uncover a frightening picture of elderly abuse around the world. The problem may get worse as the number of senior citizens increase. In the United States, it is estimated that people over the age of 65 will number about 52 million in the year 2020. With those aged 85 years or older as the fastest growing group, they will comprise a big part of America’s population-almost 1/6 of the tota
he Philippines elderly population has been steadily increasing in both size and proportion. By 2010, Filipino senior citizens are estimated to be 7M.
Initially thought to be a problem of the developed world, elder abuse is now recognized as universal, although evidence from less-developed countries is primarily anectodal. In the Philippines, elderly abuse is still not as prevalent as in the West. But of late, elderly abuse is no longer unheard of in modern Filipino culture. Despite our strong tradition of filial piety, it is not as unknown as people perceive it to be. It may be quite disturbing, but we have to admit that it may be a sign of the changing times.
FACTORS INFLUENCING ELDERLY ABUSE
Caregiver stress. This commonly-stated theory holds that well-intentioned caregivers are so overwhelmed by the burden of caring for dependent elders that they end up losing it and striking out, neglecting, or otherwise harming the elder. Much of the small amount of research that has been done has shown that few cases fit this model.
Personal characteristics of the elder. Theories that fall under this umbrella hold that dementia, disruptive behaviors, problematic personality traits, and significant needs for assistance may all raise an elder’s risk of being abused. Research on these possibilities has produced contradictory or unclear conclusions.Cycle of violence. Some theorists hold that domestic violence is a learned problem-solving behavior transmitted from one generation to the next. This theory seems well established in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, but no research to date has shown that it is a cause of elder abuse.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
a) Establish information programs and increase public awareness to minimize risks of neglect, abuse and violence to older persons;
b) Include training on the prevention, detection and management of social problems of senior citizens among healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers, specifically on the handling of elder abuse;
c) Encourage the development and utilization of supportive community resources that provide in-home services, respite care, and stress reduction with high-risk families; In addition, explore the possibilities of subsidies and outreach support for family and caregivers to promote quality homecare for senior citizens; and
d) Ensure high priority to the enactment of measures that would provide social protection to the elderly and reduce their socio-economic and political disparities.
As the elderly population multiplies, so will the incidence of elder abuse. One out of every 20 elderly people will be a victim of neglect or physical, psychological or financial abuse this year.
Extreme cases of elder abuse have obvious manifestations, like pressure marks on the body, broken bones, depression, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, unattended medical needs, or strained, tense relationships. But most elder abuse is subtle. It is difficult to tell the difference between normal interpersonal stress and abuse. Thus, it seems, elder abuse and neglect are often “hidden”.
But the phenomenon of elder abuse is becoming increasingly recognized by both medical facilities and social agencies. More and more studies have highlighted the seriousness and magnitude of elder abuse as an issue concerning the health and welfare of older persons. As such, Elder Abuse is now considered a major public health and human rights issue.
DEFINING ELDERLY ABUSE
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Toronto Declaration on Elder Abuse defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, a lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person.” It is not just an intentional negligent act that causes harm to a vulnerable adult, but may actually consist of neglect, abuse, and actual violence against an older person. It may take the form of physical, psychological and emotional abuse, financial or material exploitation, medical maltreatment, even sexual exploitation and abandonment.
FACTS AND FIGURES AT A GLANCE
Statistics uncover a frightening picture of elderly abuse around the world. The problem may get worse as the number of senior citizens increase. In the United States, it is estimated that people over the age of 65 will number about 52 million in the year 2020. With those aged 85 years or older as the fastest growing group, they will comprise a big part of America’s population-almost 1/6 of the tota
he Philippines elderly population has been steadily increasing in both size and proportion. By 2010, Filipino senior citizens are estimated to be 7M.
Initially thought to be a problem of the developed world, elder abuse is now recognized as universal, although evidence from less-developed countries is primarily anectodal. In the Philippines, elderly abuse is still not as prevalent as in the West. But of late, elderly abuse is no longer unheard of in modern Filipino culture. Despite our strong tradition of filial piety, it is not as unknown as people perceive it to be. It may be quite disturbing, but we have to admit that it may be a sign of the changing times.
FACTORS INFLUENCING ELDERLY ABUSE
Caregiver stress. This commonly-stated theory holds that well-intentioned caregivers are so overwhelmed by the burden of caring for dependent elders that they end up losing it and striking out, neglecting, or otherwise harming the elder. Much of the small amount of research that has been done has shown that few cases fit this model.
Personal characteristics of the elder. Theories that fall under this umbrella hold that dementia, disruptive behaviors, problematic personality traits, and significant needs for assistance may all raise an elder’s risk of being abused. Research on these possibilities has produced contradictory or unclear conclusions.Cycle of violence. Some theorists hold that domestic violence is a learned problem-solving behavior transmitted from one generation to the next. This theory seems well established in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, but no research to date has shown that it is a cause of elder abuse.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
a) Establish information programs and increase public awareness to minimize risks of neglect, abuse and violence to older persons;
b) Include training on the prevention, detection and management of social problems of senior citizens among healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers, specifically on the handling of elder abuse;
c) Encourage the development and utilization of supportive community resources that provide in-home services, respite care, and stress reduction with high-risk families; In addition, explore the possibilities of subsidies and outreach support for family and caregivers to promote quality homecare for senior citizens; and
d) Ensure high priority to the enactment of measures that would provide social protection to the elderly and reduce their socio-economic and political disparities.
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