Older people abuse is common in many societies, including some health institutions. Older peoples become victims of abuse because society see them as intellectually handicapped, frail and have nothing to contribute.
Old people are more vulnerable and easier to be abused by family members,relatives and caregivers.
There are different types of abuse that are commonly practiced either in homes or residential facilities.
1.Physical abuse
This is when the abuser uses physical pain, injury or force on the elderly person for example,rough handling, slapping,pushing shaking the poor person and restricting freedom of movement by either confining them into a small space or not letting them associate with others. In some cases care givers withhold pain relief or prescribed medications at the right time.
Signs of physical abuse include: grip marks on the skin,abrasions, burns,bleeding, bruises, punctured wounds, welts,dislocations especially hips, dehydration and over-sedation.
2.Sexual abuse
This is when an elderly person is forced into unwanted sexual activity such as rape,inappropriate fondling of private parts, lack of respect for privacy and lack of recognizing sexuality.
Signs of sexual abuse could be bruising or bleeding to private parts,pain or itching to genital area,difficulty in walking,may develop infection and decline to have a bath.
3.Emotional abuse.
This includes threats,insults,harassment,withholding affection,talking to older person like a child,lack of respect for privacy,limiting their social contacts or affiliations, exposing them to noisy or brighter lights or darkness.
Most often,older people express fear,become withdrawn,depression may set in. In extreme cases, they may become angry,lack sleep,and mental confusion may set in.
4.Material abuse.
This is most practiced in societies with low economic status.
Family members,care givers illegally take or use money or other possessions.The frail poor person will be forced to hand over money,possession and property to family members pretending to keep it for safety, mean while use it for themselves.
Signs of Material abuse will be noticed when the abusers fail to pay rent, bills on behalf of the older person, lack of money to buy food,pay for electricity, sale of property,the savings account become depleted. Often the signatures on some documents and cheques are forged.
5.Self neglect
With the advent of modern society where young people migrate to cities looking for employment, older people have no one to look after them. A self neglect may be reported by a concerned neighbor who may notice a strange behavior.Most of the times, older people may be demented,requiring a supervised care in a health institution.
Signs of Self-Neglect
They are malnourished,dehydrated,filthy and unhealthy surroundings. They be develop a hobby of collecting and hoarding rubbish,unkempt, fearful and do not trust anyone.
The other general signs of abuse that needs to be observed in the older people are loss of interest in personal grooming do appear depressed and withdrawn. The sleep may be disturbed, there may be alteration in eating habits and always wishing to commit suicide or die. Find out why they are afraid of particular persons and if they are avoiding physical,eye or verbal contact with the carer or service provider.
How to Prevent Abuse
Members of the community must be observant and report to local authorities if they suspect abuse or neglect of older persons.
Health providers must put in place adequate training,supervision and support to management and staff members.
There should be proper policies and procedures to ensure that the safety of older persons in the institution is upheld.
The institution should provide information for public members, family and visitors about whom they are free to approach and the help available if they are concerned about their relative that he or she is being abused or not receiving the proper care.
Any form of abuse by any person is a serious offense and should not be entertained at all!
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