Cruel treatment with older people: what to do

Briefly

Today, every fifth man in the world is a pensioner. According to studies conducted over the past ten years, from 4% to 6% of older people, that is, from 57 to 86 million people in the world, are subjected to cruel circulation. In Russia - from one and a half to two million. Jessica Thomas wrote a guide for Sixty and Me how to recognize and prevent cruel treatment with the elderly. “Utopia” translated and adapted him to Russian realities.

What is cruel treatment of older people?

Cruel treatment with older people is any action that harms them. Often, people undergoing severe treatment are especially vulnerable and weakened. They suffer from deterioration in cognitive functions or experience other health problems. Perhaps there is no one next to them who could take care of their well -being.

Seven types of cruelty to elderly people

To help someone who suffered from cruelty, you must first be comprehensively aware and must be able to recognize different types of violence. Not everyone knows that the concept of “cruelty to elderly people” is generalizing. Ts -unr in opposition to the brutal circulation of the nursing home abuse Center highlights seven types of cruel treatment with elderly people.

# 1 physical violence

Physical violence occurs when a person who cares, causes physical harm to an elderly person. For example, hits or kicks. As a result of physical violence, the victim may have fractures, bruises or other damage. In some cases, violence can lead to death.

Characteristic signs of physical violence: fractures, bruises and burns.

# 2 sexualized violence

Sexualized violence is a coercion of sexual contact without consent. In some cases, abuse occurs using force, in others-an elderly person is not able to consent due to cognitive disorders. Sexualized violence may have physical consequences. The reason for anxiety should be, for example, a sudden disease that is transmitted.

Some characteristic signs of sexualized violence:

• sudden STD;
• bruises around the genitals;
• Bleeding from the vagina and / or anus.

# 3 Psychological violence

Psychological or emotional violence is a complex phenomenon that has many different forms. As the name implies, it harms human mental health. Often the goal of violence is to cause fear and a sense of anxiety. The victims of emotional violence are often suspended or suppressed.

Some characteristic signs of psychological violence:

• depression;
• lack of visual contact;
• Isolation from relatives and friends.

# 4 Financial abuse

Financial abuse is the illegal use of money or property of an elderly person. Sometimes financial offenses are committed by strangers: older people and other vulnerable groups often become victims of scammers. In other cases, offenders are family members. They use the products of an elderly person for their own needs. If it seems to you that your elderly relative is abused by the finances of your elderly relative, contact the bank or other financial institutions. Extracts from the bank can clarify the situation.

Characteristic signs of financial abuse:

• banking extracts are sent to the wrong address;
• An elderly person mentions unusual financial transactions;
• Valuable things suddenly disappear from the house.

# 5 Lack of attention and care

This is a sad case when one who cared for an elderly person leaves him. In some cases, an elderly person is left in a nursing home or in a hospital. In other situations, the trustee shifts responsibility to another family member, who did not agree to this role.

If you have met a frightened and confused elderly person in the emergency department, then, perhaps, relatives left him there. It is important to remember that in connection with the situation caused by coronavirus, the rules of visiting hospitals have changed. If an elderly person was in the hospital alone, then this does not mean that he was abandoned there.

# 6 Neglect of needs or personality

If a person who should take care of the elderly acts irresponsibly and does not protect him - this is neglect. Neglect can manifest itself in different ways and often ends with physical harm. Neglecting implies that a person who cares does not provide an elderly person with food, water or personal hygiene products.

Some characteristic signs of neglect:

• An elderly person is unwashed and untidy;
• on it (her) dirty clothes;
• He (she) is hungry or dehydrated.

# 7 neglect

Neglecting is a complex phenomenon. It occurs when an elderly person cannot satisfy his needs for nutrition and hygiene. Neglect occurs for various reasons. In some situations, an elderly person is depressed or anxiety. Mental health problems can lead to neglect. In other cases, neglect is the result of deterioration of physical health and cognitive disorders. Signs of neglect of themselves are similar to signs of #6 described above.

Facts about violence

Many types of abuse are relatively well studied. It is worth highlighting two patterns. Firstly, the most common type of cruelty that the elderly Americans face is neglect. Often, an elderly person left without care does not receive sufficient food or the necessary medical care. Sometimes a person who should take care of an elderly does not provide elementary sanitary conditions.

The second observation: according to statistics, older people more often report financial operation than any other form of violence. In part, the reason for this is shame. In our society, at least in the opinion of some, it is much easier to report fraud than rape. Financial abuse leads to high expenses. According to the CT Entra Countering the brutal circulation in the nursing homes , it costs almost $ 3 billion a year.

Who becomes offenders, and who - victims?

Unfortunately, it is not written on the offenders that they must beware. All of them look different. Violence may come from medical workers and employees of the elderly houses. Office can be long -standing friends and family members.

The victims of violence are also not similar to each other. They are often vulnerable and weakened. For example, the victims may have Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, which does not allow understanding what is happening or interferes with the report of violence. The victims may have other health problems. Often the goal of the offenders are lonely people who have lost their spouse or spouse. Often the victims have no close person who is ready to take care and help.

The combination of psychological, social and economic factors, as well as the mental and physical condition of the victims and criminals, contributes to cruel treatment of elderly people. The main risks are associated with the social isolation of the elderly, the lack of access to support and resources, physical, mental or emotional dependence. For example, if offenders are required to care for incompetent elderly people. Relatives, spouses, employees of the elderly houses, nurses and guardians can show violence.

Also, elderly people are more at risk of suffering from scammers: offenders can be introduced by employees of banks or government agencies, arrange false competitions and even pass themselves out for family members.

What to do if you suspected the cruelty

In situations of violence, the best solution is prevention and prevention. While the situation has not become crisis, you need to contact the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population and register. They will provide a social worker who will periodically come and check the living conditions and state of health. If necessary, a social worker can help with the construction of a nursing to the State House.

If violence nevertheless happened or you suspect that it happened, you will need to take a few steps.

First step: collect information

As they say, knowledge is power. Regardless of what actions you decide on, the main thing is to own information. First, trust your instincts. If you notice something suspicious, if you have one of the signs of abuse described above, take your fears seriously. You may have to shoot photos or videos, especially if you have signs of physical violence.

Second Step: Talk to the victims

Listen to the victims. For various reasons, they can not always clearly formulate what is happening to them: they may have problems with memory or understanding what is happening, they can be intimidated or attached to their offenders (for example, if their children are beaten). Try to create a sense of security in them, let them know that you are near and help.

Third step: Ask for help

Having learned the necessary information, you probably want to seek help. It's hard to figure it out yourself. First thought: "Who to call?" In Russia, the assistance system is arranged so that an elderly person who has undergone violence cannot get safe housing and food day a day if he does not have the necessary list of documents. Make sure that the victim has all the documents that he has. After that, depending on the type of violence, its seriousness and the needs of the victims, you can contact:

• Police. When calling, be prepared to name the name of an elderly person, address, contact information and detailed information about what happened. You may be asked if a person has medical problems (confusion of consciousness or memory loss) and whether you witnessed the fact that they screamed and beat him. You will also be asked to name your contact details, but you can call anonymously;
• The Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of your city for social support and legal assistance.
• Center “ Violence.net ”* at legal and psychological consultations regardless of gender and age, but only in person in Moscow;
• The crisis center " Kitezh " for the asylum. For women no older than 60 years, is in the suburbs;
• The state crisis center for women and children for asylum, psychological and legal advice. For women no older than 70 years and with Moscow registration.
• Crisis Center in your or nearest city. They can be found on the map.

*According to the Ministry of Justice, performs the functions of a foreign agent.

Translated by Daria Zhezhkova