About Elder Abuse

DEFINITION OF ELDER ABUSE:
Elder abuse is a single or repeated action or lack of appropriate action that occurs within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust and that causes harm or distress to an older person.

Cultural and religious background must be taken into account when assessing the impact of elder abuse on an older person.

ELDER ABUSE IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS?

Everyone has the potential to become an abuser. Abusers are not necessarily bad people; they are, themselves, often victims of circumstances.

An abuser is generally someone in a position of authority or who has some form of control over the older person. This can be a family member (spouse, adult child, grandchild, partner, relative), a professional (nurse, doctor, social worker, accountant, lawyer), a caregiver, volunteer worker, friend or neighbour.

Statistics have shown that abusers are usually adult children or grandchildren, which is one of the reasons why older persons are so reluctant to speak out about elder abuse. They feel ashamed and in some instances responsible for the way in which their children are behaving, and therefore prefer not to say anything.

Persons found guilty of elder abuse are liable to a fine or prison sentence or both. However, those who mistreat older persons seldom find themselves in Court. Elderly victims are often pressurized to withdraw the charges by family members or feel that they do not want to face the trauma of going to court.

The Aged Persons Act and Amendments states that the Department of Social Development must keep a register of persons convicted of elder abuse. Any person whose name appears in the register may not own, run or be employed by a residential facility for older persons.

WHERE DOES ELDER ABUSE OCCUR?

Elder abuse can occur anywhere – in the family home, in residential facilities, in public places.

The largest percentage of the older population live in their communities, rural and urban, as opposed to a much smaller percentage living in residential facilities.

Elder abuse does not only occur in South Africa, all countries are affected by it.

IS ELDER ABUSE PREVALENT?
Sadly, yes it is. In South Africa it is only for the last 20 years or so that elder abuse was recognised, and as awareness of the problem grew, mechanisms were put into place to curb and prevent it.

While we are now aware of the existence of elder abuse, we only have a record of reported abuse, and are therefore not aware of the full extent of the abuse that older persons are suffering.

AWARENESS RAISING:
Raising awareness around elder abuse, what it is, what are the types of abuse, who is at risk, how to report abuse is extremely important, not only for older persons but for all members of the community. An informed community is far more likely to take action and protect their older persons, and awareness is seen as a form of prevention.