What Is Older Person Abuse?
The term older person abuse, or elderly abuse, is generally used to mean physical, verbal, emotional or financial mistreatment of a senior. Older person abuse includes any action/inaction which could harm the health or well-being of an older person.
Types Of Older Person Abuse
Physical Abuse:
Any violent act(s) or rough treatment, whether or not actual physical injury results.
- physical assault such as hitting, slapping, punching, grabbing, pushing, shoving
Sexual Abuse:
Any sexual behavior without a person's full knowledge and/or consent.
- sexual assault, sexual harassment
- use of pornography
- inappropriate sexual touching
Medication Abuse:
The misuse of an older person's medication and prescriptions.
- withholding medication
- over-medication
- using an older person's medication for one's own use
Emotional Abuse:
Any act or any treatment that may diminish the older person's sense of identity, dignity and self worth.
- verbal assaults such as put downs, name-calling, swearing
- lack of affection
- social isolation
- intimidation
- humiliation
- denying a person the opportunity to participate in decisions regarding their own life.
Financial Abuse:
The misuse of an older person's funds and assets.
- misuse through coercion, fraud or theft (using funds of an older person for one's own personal gain)
- neglecting or denying assistance in the payment of bills or with banking
Neglect:
The deliberate or non-deliberate withholding of basic necessities and/or care.
Facts To Consider
*4% of older people living in private dwellings report being abused or neglected each year.
*The most common form of abuse is financial abuse.
*Approximately 12,000 older people in Canada experience physical abuse.
*Men are as likely to be victims of older person abuse as women.
About The Victim
Older people who are victims of abuse know the people who hurt them. Many victims depend on their abusers for food, shelter, personal care or companionship.
Any older person, male or female, can be vulnerable to abuse.
The greatest physical harm is often done to those in frail health.
Most abused older people are isolated and dependent on others for their activities of daily living.
Older people often do not take action against their abusers. Usually out of shame, embarrassment or fear of rejection and retaliation.
About The Abuser
Abusers can be of any age, sex, social class or culture.
Abusers are typically persons who are in a caregiving role to the older person and can be children, siblings, grand-children, stepchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, other relatives, friends or acquaintances or health care providers.
Risk Factors Of Abuse
Abuse may be a consequence of the caregivers's personal problems. E.g. unemployment or failing personal relationships and drug and alcohol dependencies.
Abuse may occur when caregivers feel resentment or suffer from exhaustion from caring for an older person.
When there is a relationship where one person is dependent and the other person is in the helping or caregiving role, there is the potential for abuse, due to a power imbalance.
Although stress is recognized as a factor which might increase the risk of abuse, it is important to remember that stress alone is not the reason people abuse.
Help Available To Older People
If you are being abused or if ou think someone else is being abused, tell the police. Also consider accessing advice or assistance from social agencies and professionals.
Public Health, Medical and Home Support
These professionals are familiar with the health and social services in your community and can offer you guidance, support and referral.
Counselling Services
Envision Counselling Support Centre and Mental Health offices offer counselling and referral for the victims and the abusers.
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