Abuse may happen to anybody, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or racial history. Every year, many elders are abused, mistreated, or exploited financially. This is known as elder abuse. Abuse can occur in various settings, including an older adult’s or a relative’s home. Elder maltreatment can occur from relatives, acquaintances or caretakers.
As people get older, they lose their ability to care for themselves, stand up to defend themselves, and fight back if attacked. Ailments, whether mental or physical, might make them more difficult partners for the individuals who live with them. And they may not be able to see, hear, or think as well as they once did, allowing opportunities for unscrupulous others to exploit them.
What types of elder abuse are there?
Domestic abuse survivors are neither fearful nor weak-willed, nor do they believe in themselves. Domestic abuse survivors who are older adults are not always afflicted with dementia or are unaware of their predicament. People stay in spousal abuse for various reasons, the most serious of which is that leaving can be fatal. Furthermore, a survivor of domestic violence frequently relies on an abuser economically or socially. Dumping the abuser might entail losing one’s house, food, or contact with family and friends.
- Physical abuse – arises whenever an individual injures someone by striking, shoving, or hitting. This may also entail physically constraining an older adult, such as shutting them in a bathroom or pushing them toward sharp objects so they get hurt.
- Mental abuse – Intimidation by screaming or accusations, embarrassment, mockery, repetitive criticism, neglect of the older adult or alienating an elder, terrorising or threatening the older adult are all examples of psychological anguish or misery.
- Financial abuse – This occurs when an older adult’s money or valuables are taken. Forged cheques, obtaining somebody else’s pension or State Benefits, or accessing a person’s bank and credit card assets against their consent are all examples of forgery. It also involves altering the identities of a will, savings account, insurance policy, or property title without authorization.
- Sexual abuse – This includes sexual harassment or any sexual behaviour performed on an older person without their consent.
Conclusion
Domestic Abuse Awareness Month is celebrated in October. Artha strives to ensure that older individuals are not left out of the debate as we reflect on the grief and suffering caused by domestic abuse. You must speak up if you feel that a senior is in jeopardy from a careless or overburdened caregiver or that they are being financially exploited. Everyone has the right to be safe, decency, and respected. If you are in a situation where you are witnessing abuse, call the emergency services as promptly as possible and do the responsible thing.
