Researchers in a new study say that in the next ten years, more than one in ten adults may be abused.
Elder abuse Or Elder Abuse (EM) is “in a relationship involving trust expectations, a person’s deliberate behavior or lack of behavior creates a risk of harm or harm to the elderly,” a recent study showed Publish Said at the JAMA Internet Open.The World Health Organization (WHO) says that elder abuse can lead to physical harm and long-term psychological consequences famousAnd added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of elder abuse has even increased.
According to researchers, elder abuse includes five subtypes-economic abuse (exploitation), physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional or psychological abuse.Previous research also looked at the prevalence of elder abuse at Cornell University Say In the press release. But these are “snapshots” and cannot be “powerful conclusions” that point out the possible causes of the abuse.
In their study, the researchers followed the elderly for 10 years. In 2019, they followed up with 630 participants in a 2009 survey of the New York State Elder Abuse Research. Compared with participants in 2009 who did not report abuse in the five categories, 11.5% of people reported as victims of elder abuse in 2019, with economic abuse being the most common type.
No participants reported experiencing sexual abuse, but 4.1% reported mental abuse, 2.3% reported physical abuse, and 1% reported neglect.
In addition, the researchers also found certain factors related to abuse, such as living alone, poor health, and race.
The researchers wrote: “Poor health is significantly associated with overall EM and new cases of financial, emotional, and psychological, and physical abuse subtypes; black race and living alone are significantly associated with overall EM and financial abuse.”
According to the researchers, if the “protective spouse or partner” is not around to help manage finances, living alone may increase the risk of financial abuse. As Cornell University pointed out, the higher risk of economic abuse among black older people is “previously unreported racial differences.”
The researchers wrote: “These findings suggest that medical visits may be an important opportunity to identify older people at risk of abuse.” “Race is highlighted as an important social determinant of elder abuse that requires urgent attention.”
“This study provides a growing evidence base that elder abuse is a very common problem and requires a strong public health response,” said the senior author of the study and Karl Pillemer of Weill Cornell Medicine. Professor Hazel E. Reed of the Department of Human Development. The College of Human Ecology, according to a press release from Cornell University.
Pillermo added: “This is a call to action for the state and the country to consider how to better help the victims.”
WHO takes note of some prevention methods against elder abuse, although these methods are mainly in high-income countries. These include public and professional awareness campaigns, screening for possible victims and abusers, and caregiver support interventions such as stress management and caregiver dementia training.
The WHO said: “On a global scale, people know very little about elder abuse and how to prevent it, especially in developing countries.” “The scope and nature of the problem has only just begun to be portrayed.”
Photo: Pixabay
