Geraldine OBrien

1
Geraldine OBrien

• geraldinema.obrien_at_maile.hse.ie

2
Demographics

• Studies show 3 - 5 of older people living in
  the community suffer abuse at any one time
• In Ireland 12,000 20,000 people living in the
  community may be suffering from abuse/ neglect
  and/or mistreatment (O Loughlin and Duggan 1998)
  
• In 1996 CSO statistics showed that 11.4 of the
  population were over 65 years.
• It is predicted that this figure will grow and in
  the period 1996-2011 it will represent 14.1 of
  the population

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What is Elder Abuse ?

• A single or repeated act or lack of appropriate
  action occurring within any relationship where
  there is an expectation of trust which causes
  harm or distress to an older person or violates
  their human and civil rights
• Protecting Our Future
• Action on Elder Abuse

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Forms Of Elder Abuse

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Discriminatory abuse

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Why isnt it detected earlier?

• Elder abuse victims are often isolated from
  social networks they may not have had a reason to
  have any contact with statutory agencies
• Gaining access to Victims is often difficult -
  personnel have no right of access.
• Victims can be reluctant to report abuse because
  of deliberate actions of the abuser
• Psychological effects on long term abuse victim
  believes this relationship is normal
• Ageism
• Family as a safe haven- family privacy is
  paramount.
• Internal cultural values of the victim
• Reluctance of older generation to ask for help /
  report to statutory agencies
• Gender differences
• Capacity and Consent
• Concerns of victim re economic / social
  repercussions
• Adult victims may feel responsible for adult
  child behaviour

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Why isnt it detected earlier?

• Victim may refuse assistance
• Persons low level of expectation about what can
  be achieved through intervention
• The older person may be dependent on the
  perpetrator for care
• Older person may be afraid of being judged
  incompetent if they report abuse.
• Reluctance of Older people and abusers to seek
  assistance
• Lack of Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System
• The cure being worse than the disease
• Lack of previously clear reporting and assessment
  procedures within professional and statutory
  bodies
• Continued Hope
• Many elder abuse victims want the abuse to end
  but the relationship to continue

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Risk Factors for Elder Abuse

• Blaming the victim
• Dependency of both the victim and the perpetrator
• A pattern of family violence
• Profile of the abuser (Pillemer Finklehor 1989)
• Carer Stress may be environmental factors is
  debate in research re this point
• Social Isolation (Philips 1983)
• Victims are often in the greatest danger when
  they are seeking help or leaving an abusive
  relationship they may be guarded telling their
  stories