Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label positivity for elders

The Impact of Elder Abuse: How to Identify and Support

Abuse refers to an intentional mistreatment or failure to act right leading to harm or distress in an individual. Abuse against senior citizens is a significant challenge faced by many. Older adults could be mistreated by family members, friends, spouses, caregivers, health care providers, neighbours, financial advisors, or strangers. Elder abuse could be physical, emotional, sexual, social, verbal, and financial. Neglect and abandonment are also considered abuse. Avoiding an elder’s need or intentionally letting them suffer without extending help is considered abusive. Abuse of the elderly is a public health problem. One out of six senior citizens all over the world face abuse. Abuse in the elderly may increase the risk of death by several folds. In India, the prevalence of abuse in the elderly ranges between 9.6% to 61.7% across different states of the country. A survey conducted in 22 cities in India showed that 35% of elders were abused by their sons, 21% by their daughters-in-la