What is Elder Abuse
Elder abuse encompasses a range of harmful behaviors inflicted upon older adults, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment.
Physical abuse involves acts of violence or harm, while emotional abuse entails psychological manipulation or verbal aggression. Financial abuse involves exploiting an elder’s assets or coercing them into financial transactions. Sexual abuse encompasses any non-consensual sexual contact or activity. Neglect refers to the failure to provide essential care and support, while abandonment involves desertion of an elder in need. It’s crucial to recognize these forms of abuse and take proactive steps to prevent and address them, safeguarding the rights and dignity of older adults worldwide.
Causes of Elder Abuse
Risk factors for elder abuse include dependency of perpetrators on elders financially, and increased isolation and dependency of the elder (Storey, J. E. (2020). A study by Wu et al (2012) in Singapore found that suspected perpetrators of elder abuse tend to be male family members and elders who are neglected tend to be highly dependent due to physical infirmity or cognitive impairment, while elders who are physically abused tend to be more mobile and cognitively intact. Studies also suggested that an elder’s lack of social support and loneliness increased their likelihood of being abused (Dong & Simon, 2008).
What to do when you notice Elder Abuse
1. Educate yourself on the signs of elder abuse to increase awareness and understanding of the issue.
2. Offer Support and Comfort – approach the elder to provide emotional support, listen to their concerns, and reassure them that help is available. Encourage them to seek assistance and accompany them to appointments or meetings if needed.
3. Report the abuse – in Singapore you can contact the National Anti-Violence & Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) at 1800-777-0000 or report the suspected abuse online at https://go.gov.sg/navh
To meet with a professional psychologist or counsellor, call The Other Clinic at 8809 0659 or email us hello@theotherclinic.sg.
References
Dong X., Simon M. A. (2008). Is greater social support a protective factor against elder mistreatment? Gerontology, 54, 381–388.
Storey, J. E. (2020). Risk factors for elder abuse and neglect: A review of the literature. Aggression and violent behavior, 50, 101339.
Wu, Chen, Hu, Xiang, Yu, Zhang, Cao, & Wang, Y. (2012). Prevalence and associated factors of elder mistreatment in a rural community in People’s Republic of China: a cross-sectional study. PloS One, 7(3), e33857–e33857.