Elder abuse

Abstract

Population ageing is a huge milestone in our era. This major challenging triumph poses gross global economic and social demands. The growth in the population of older persons is a major cause for celebration. The vast majority of older persons live active and full lives, enjoying their health and independence. However, it is a known fact that a small number of older persons experience one form of abuse or another, with the likelihood of abuse increasing as the older person gets older and frailer. Teaster (2006) indicated that anywhere between three and five per cent of older persons may be subject to abuse. This suggests that around 4,000 Maltese older persons would, at some point, suffer from some form of abuse. Cooper and colleagues (2008), nevertheless, observed that only one to two per cent of older person abuse is actually reported. This under reporting is likely due to the reluctance in reporting the abuse, particularly as elder abuse, by definition, occurs within a relationship in which there is an expectation of trust. Similarly, if an older person is being abused by a close family relative, the older person may not wish to upset that relationship. And if the abuse is perpetrated by a formal carer, the older person may be unwilling to report it in order not to jeopardise care provision. Occasionally, either the abused or the abuser may not recognise the action as abuse. This may be particularly true in cases of financial or psychological abuse which could be subtle and less easily recognised.