Abuse of the elderly

Abuse of the elderly can be defined as any behavior within a relationship of trust that somehow harms an older person. It refers to violence, harassment and / or neglect of the elderly which they can experience from a spouse, children, relatives, guardians, employees in professional services or persons in situations of power and trust.

The International Network for the Prevention of elder abuse defined elder abuse as follows: "Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, which takes place in any relationship expectations and trust, which causes harm, pain, embarrassment and / or distress to an elderly person (Abuse of elderly, 2002).

FORMS OF ABUSE

Violence can be divided according to location where it takes place and the manner in which it takes place. Violence against the elderly can take place in the privacy of the home, in an institution and it can be structural. For seniors who live their private homes, violence may be associated with their financial or emotional dependence on family members. For persons residing in an institution, abuse can occur with feeding, bathing, dressing, taking medications, etc. Structural violence takes place within society, and refers to the lack of social security and financial resources that would enable a satisfactory quality of life. This form relates to the discriminatory social, health and other policies and practices towards the elderly, and inappropriate conduct and disturbing public services (Ajduković 2003.). Older people may experience multiple forms of abuse at the same time.

Any form of abusive behavior involves different ways of treating the victim.

Mental (and emotional) abuse involves attempts to dehumanize and underestimate the elderly. Any verbal or non-verbal conduct that reduces their self-esteem and dignity and treating their psychological and emotional integrity is abuse.

Financial abuse includes financial manipulation or exploitation, which includes fraud, forgery, blackmail, misuse. Refers to the unfair use of money or property of the elderly or use of property of the elderly for personal profit. Each treatment without permission in a way that is inappropriate or illegal use of one's property or money is a financial exploitation or financial abuse.

Physical abuse involves any act of violence, regardless of whether the result of it is a physical injury or not. Intentionally causing pain or injury, which results in physical injury or mental pain is considered abuse.

Sexual abuse uinvolves various forms of sexual behavior, abuse and harassment (sexual harassment, attacks and embarrassment) without their will and consent. Includes unwanted touching (the elderly are often unable to express their disapproval), all types of sexual assaults such as rape, sodomy, nudity and photographing.

Neglect refers the intentional or unintentional failure to provide basic conditions of life and care.

PREVENTION

Domestic violence is a personal, family and social problem that significantly impairs quality of life and mental health of those exposed to them - directly or indirectly. Prevention of violence against the elderly is important in order to ensure a decent old age, provide material security and generally improve the quality of life of elderly people.

The strategy to combat violence should include advocacy and awareness-raising, education of a culture of non-violence, training of professionals, improvement of laws and their implementation, monitoring and intervention data analysis, providing direct services to the victim and the perpetrator, early identification. The strategy of fighting must be clearly designed taking into account cultural and regional characteristics, the role of local communities, civil society, governments and international organizations, but also the responsibility of each individual.

The beginning of the 21st century brought a new form of violence against the elderly who are in psychology called "grandma slave syndrome". This phenomenon is of recent date, and it refers to older women who voluntarily tolerate a huge burden within their families. Factors that influence the occurrence of this syndrome are the responsibilities of older women which are piling up: keeping grandchildren, household chores and responsibilities around family members who are disabled or ill.