June 15 is World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day. The abuse of elderly people is increasingly being recognized as a serious social problem. It is also a problem that may continue to grow as the country experiences an ageing population as a result of improved life expectancy.
On the 2013 commemoration of the World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day, Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo says healthcare professionals can play a significant role in preventing and detecting the abuse of the elderly. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines elderly abuse as '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'.
"Healthcare professionals need to pay more attention to the special needs of elderly people," said MEC Papo. "While some health care professionals may often feel more comfortable dealing with younger people than they do with elderly ones, concerns of older patients must never be ignored. We wish to remind clinical staff to orientate all staff, especially new members, on protocols to detect and deal with elderly abuse, and also address the mental health or behavioural signs of the abuse of the elderly, such as depression, attempted suicide, or drug or alcohol abuse."
Non-communicable diseases (such as ischaemic heart disease and stroke) are responsible for 84% of deaths in the elderly population; communicable diseases and nutritional deficiencies for 13%; injuries for 3% and HIV& AIDS for 0.4%. Injuries account for 3% of older persons' deaths, of which road traffic accidents are responsible for the largest share (33%), followed by homicide /violence (28%) and suicide (12%) (SAMRC).
Recently, elderly adults are abused in their own homes, in relatives' homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. Others report being abused by grandchildren who are intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. According to the World Health Organisation, it is estimated that between 4% and 6% of elderly people experience some form of abuse.
MEC Papo says 'prevention starts with awareness'. "At the most basic level, greater importance must be attached to primary prevention. This requires building a society in which older people are allowed to live their lives in dignity, adequately provided with necessities of life and with genuine opportunities for self - fulfilment," says MEC Papo.
The MEC urged healthcare professionals; "When conducting an examination, the doctor or health care worker should: (i) interview the patient alone, asking directly about possible physical violence, restraints or neglect; (ii) conduct a comprehensive geriatric assessment of the patient, including medical, functional, cognitive and social factors; and (iii) document the patient's social networks, both formal and informal."
