How to recognize and prevent elder abuse?

(Baonghean.vn) - World Day for Prevention of Elder Abuse was initiated by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization of the United Nations in 2006. Since then, almost every year, UN member states and organizations for the elderly have conducted propaganda activities to raise people's awareness of preventing elder abuse.

1. AbuseWhat is elderly?

The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as a single or repeated act or neglect that results in "harm or harassment of an older person."

Elder abuse affects 10% of the world's population but most cases go unreported.

In 90% of elder abuse cases, the perpetrator is usually a family member. Studies show that sons and daughters are the most likely to abuse elders.

Physical: Using force (such as hitting or pushing) that causes pain, harm, or injury; using the wrong medication or physical restraint.

Sexual: Any type of sexual contact that is not consensual.

Psychological: Abuse affects emotional and mental health, including: intimidation, threats, harassment, humiliation, degradation, or isolation.

Neglect: Intentional deprivation of basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, medicine, or personal hygiene.

Financial exploitation: Misuse of an older adult's money, property, or resources.

2. Signs of Elder Abuse

Older adults with limited literacy are often victims of abuse from relatives or friends.

Identifying elder abuse is often difficult. Abuse is often subtle, with perpetrators deliberately concealing it or older adults reluctant to discuss it. For example, an older person with limited social connections may rely on one or two family members, who may exploit them for personal gain.

Elder abuse is not limited to physical abuse, but also psychological and financial abuse. The most common form of abuse is financial abuse – from stealing money, forcing changes to wills, or forging an older person’s signature on bank documents.

Some people use power of attorney to abuse elders, by taking control of finances and other legal matters.

3. Awareness of Elder Abuse

Illustration photo.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 older adults are abused every month; Elderly people living in nursing homes are more abused than those in the community; Elder abuse causes serious physical injuries and long-term psychological damage to older adults; Elder abuse is more common in countries with aging populations than in other countries.

Despite the difficulty of surveying, some studies have listed the following types of abuse in some high- and middle-income countries:

Physical abuse (violence): 0.2 - 4.9%; Sexual abuse (coercion): 0.04 - 0.82%; Mental abuse: 0.7 - 6.3%; Abuse of money and property (appropriation, abuse of power): 1.0 - 9.2%; Neglect (indifference): 0.2 - 5.5%.

4. Actions of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Vietnam responds to World Day against Abuseelderly(June 15, 2015) in Gia Lam district, Hanoi city

To contribute to preventing elder abuse, WHO and partners have had many initiatives and activities, specifically:

- Collect evidence on the status and types of elder abuse to raise awareness.

- Develop guidance documents on how to prevent abuse for UN member states.

- Share information with countries and support them in preventing elder abuse.

- Cooperate with international agencies and organizations to prevent elder abuse worldwide.

WHO hopes that in the coming time, awareness of elder abuse and the responsibility to protect the rights of older people around the world will be raised, which are also practical measures to move towards the UN's sustainable development goals./.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)