Elder abuse ‘needs broader definition’

SOME elderly people would tolerate abuse by members of their own family rather than move into a nursing home, according to the findings of a major study on elder abuse.

Research carried out on behalf of Age Action Ireland revealed that some people’s fear of requiring residential care was so great that they would regard abuse by relatives in their own home as “more acceptable”.

The study also called for a wider definition of “elder abuse” to be considered, as the current understanding of the issue was focused too narrowly on meeting older people’s psychological and safety needs and does not go far enough in developing and implementing preventative measures.

The survey is believed to be the first major study carried out in Ireland in which elderly people were asked about their own perception of elder abuse.

The study, which conducted detailed surveys on 58 older people both here and in the North, was organised by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland.

The pensioners called for the understanding and tackling of abuse to move outside existing narrow definitions to meet their need for love, belonging, esteem and the realisation of their potential.

Many of those surveyed also extended the definition of “elder abuse” to include the diminishment of their “personhood”, which they explained was their decreasing sense with age of having worth or value as a person. Some felt they were often targets of abuse because they looked or behaved like an old person or by “outliving their usefulness”.

The report observed that such a threat came from family, the state, its agencies and society in general.

“The withdrawal of personhood dehumanises older people, making it easier for others to mistreat or harm them,” said Dr Emer Begley, one of the authors of the report.

Many also contrasted the focus and level of awareness of children’s rights with the invisibility of the rights of the elderly. They claimed the transition of older people from person to non-person was “subtle and progressive”.

Elderly people also called for more services and supports which helped them to maintain their independence and involvement in social networks as well as for family carers. They also claimed spot-checks and enforcement of legislation governing standards of care in nursing homes were lax.

Previous research has shown approximately 2% of older people suffer abuse in community settings.

The report said that continued involvement in community-based activities was a good method for older people to prevent abuse.