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Secondary to psychological and mental problems, an individual’s response to abuse can leave lifelong consequences. While most forms of mistreatment often get witnessed in domestic partnerships, the rate of elder abuse in a physical form is similarly alarming. In essence, elder abuse targets people aged 60 years or older and often occurs under the hands of a trusted person like family or a caregiver (Yon et al., 2019). Yon et al. (2019) assert that one in six older people get abused in a community. Although mistreatment may fail to necessarily result in physical or psychological issues, it increases their likelihood. Psychological well-being is pivotal to aging and evidence links any form of distress to mortality and morbidity (Storey, 2020). Scholars assert that abuse can potentially contribute to emotional and mental issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, dementia among older people (Feltner et al., 2018; Storey, 2020; Yon et al., 2019). Additionally, physical abuse coupled with mental issues heightens emotional suffering, including agitation, personality change, isolation, and hopelessness. The rippling effect of physical abuse among older abuse adversely impacts their overall well-being and worldview.
Furthermore, related factors to elderly abuse correlate with general lifestyle, from a cultural to socio-economic context. For example, substance and drug abuse, unhealthy diet, plus stress include some of the dominant forms of unhealthy lifestyles, which can further result in health-related issues making the care of older people more difficult. Wydall et al. (2018) contend that physical abuse can potentially disrupt healthy living. For instance, elder abuse increases incidences of premature mortality due to the absence of firm psychological and physical activity. Plus, a number of factors can either protect or increase the vulnerability of the aging population to physical abuse and related consequences. Socio-economic aspects regarding the issue of mistreatment underscore the pace at which the older population continues to increase. Work patterns, retirement, isolation, access to quality and affordable care, increased dependency, familial status, or living arrangements fall under some of the socio-economic trends and issues common among aging people. Consider work patterns, for example, where retirement or unemployment cause stress subsequently having lasting physiological effects and making older people vulnerable to physical abuse.
Apart from socio-economic trends, environmental factors including air and water pollution, climate change, and health care access impact individual and population health. For example, climate change influences disease patterns, making older people susceptible to various illnesses (Sorensen et al., 2020). Conversely, socio-economic and environmental factors can work in favor of the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. With social protection, older people can live and support themselves. Likewise, food security, access to affordable and quality health services, housing, and other basic amenities equally serve as protective factors for older people in relation to physical abuse. For example, proper housing and health services under a professional caregiver reduce the risks of elder abuse in any form. Therefore, addressing socio-economic and environmental factors is fundamental for reducing health implications facing the aging population.
Generally, more research and attention on elder physical abuse is warranted. Apart from children and people living with disabilities, older people fall under the most vulnerable populations. The aging population often needs additional help from caregivers, especially in the absence of family care. Plus, as older adults become psychologically and physically frail, they get more exploited and neglected. Consequently, an elder can experience functional impairment, distress, injury, and even death resulting from physical abuse. While some victims suffer minor physical injuries like cuts and bruises, others experience more serious and lasting psychological and physical effects like lasting disability and constant pain. Older adults are increasingly becoming vulnerable to physical abuse and thus, the need to address the causes and solutions to elder abuse.
References
Feltner, C., Wallace, I., Berkman, N., Kistler, C.E., Middleton, J.C., Barclay, C., Higginbotham, L., Green, J.T. and Jonas, D.E. (2018). Screening for intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and abuse of vulnerable adults: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.Jama, 320(16), pp.1688-1701.
Sorensen, C.J., Salas, R.N., Rublee, C., Hill, K., Bartlett, E.S., Charlton, P., Dyamond, C., Fockele, C., Harper, R., Barot, S. and Calvello-Hynes, E. (2020). Clinical implications of climate change on US emergency medicine: challenges and opportunities.Annals of Emergency Medicine, 76(2), pp.168-178.
Storey, J. E. (2020). Risk factors for elder abuse and neglect: A review of the literature.Aggression and violent behavior, 50, 101339.
Wydall, S., Clarke, A., Williams, J., & Zerk, R. (2018). Domestic abuse and elder abuse in Wales: A tale of two initiatives. British Journal of Social Work, 48(4), 962-981.
Yon, Y., Ramiro-Gonzalez, M., Mikton, C. R., Huber, M., & Sethi, D. (2019). The prevalence of elder abuse in institutional settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European journal of public health, 29(1), 58-67.
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