What is elder neglect?
Elder neglect occurs when a person aged 65 or more experiences harmful physical,
psychological, material/financial and/or social effects as a result of another person
failing to perform behaviours which are a reasonable obligation of their relationship to
the older person and are warranted by the older person’s unmet needs.
Neglect is categorised into two forms:
Active neglect – conscious and intentional deprivation.
Passive neglect –the result of the carer’s inadequate knowledge, infirmity or disputing
the value of prescribed services.
How common is neglect of older people?
Seventeen percent of referrals to Age Concern EANP Services since 2002 included neglect. For comparison, physical abuse comprised 20% of cases, financial abuse 42% and psychological abuse 60%. Neglect often occurred concurrently with these forms of elder abuse (therefore percentages can total more than 100)
Who is neglected?
Age Concern New Zealand statistics show that women aged 75 to 84 living with their partner or other family/whanau are most commonly neglected.
From the cases sampled in this study, the most common characteristics of older people
neglected were:
• communications difficulty,
• limited social contacts and isolation and
• mental or physical disabilities.
In addition, the study found that dementia and a dependency on one person were common among those neglected through financial abuse. The former was even more pronounced in neglect through abuse of enduring power of attorney.
The study found that some older people tolerated neglect because of their need for
companionship.
The findings are consistent with international research, which shows that older people are more at risk of elder abuse or neglect if they:
• Are dependent on one person for all or part of their care
• Have mental or physical disabilities
• Have communication difficulties
• Have long standing negative personality traits that may have become more pronounced
• Have limited social contacts and are isolated
• Have feelings of low self esteem
Who neglects older people?
People who neglect are most commonly family/whanau members. This is consistent with
statistical information about other forms of elder abuse.
Known elder abuse and neglect risk factors for caregivers include:
• previous family conflict or tension
• history of family violence
• difficulty controlling anger and frustration
• life stresses such as unemployment, health, financial difficulty
• mental health problems, low self-esteem
• alcohol, drug or other addictions
• poor support and/or social networks
• dependence on the older person for housing, money, emotional support
From cases sampled for the study, the most common characteristics among those who
neglected older people were:
• a family member,
• who is the primary care giver,
• experiencing stress (unemployment, carer stress),
• an addiction(s), and
• dependent on the neglected person for housing/financial/emotional support.
Avoiding neglect
The study suggests specific ways neglect can be prevented. These include:
• promoting understanding of the important role carers have in our community and their right to support
• improving support to family/whanau carers, particularly following respite or other formal care
• improving awareness of, and access to, advice on the help available for older people and their carers, including day care facilities
• including assessments of clients’ family’s/caregivers’ ability to meet their needs in clients’ needs assessments
• promoting communication between family members and with ageing relatives, especially if care and inheritance arrangements are contested or unclear
• making separate financial arrangements, including in some cases an independently appointed Enduring Power of Attorney,
• increasing awareness and availability of services to prevent social isolation.
improving management standards, staff training and supervision and monitoring procedures in residential care facilities and home support services4.
Turning Awareness into Action
Putting our awareness into action is the key to preventing elder abuse and neglect. A multidisciplinary response across all sectors is needed to:
• empower older people to act for themselves and on their own behalf, to exercise their rights and advocate for their own interests
• raise awareness amongst the general population that elder abuse and neglect happens and is a problem
• educate those working with older people to recognise signs of possible abuse and to know how to respond appropriately
• prevent abuse or neglect through changing ageist attitudes and behaviour, and encouraging positive intergenerational relationships.
Services preventing elder abuse and neglect: (Not a comprehensive list)
New Zealand Australia UK USA
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I thought it is worthwhile to highlight more from the New Zealand Report .
If you think you need more information regarding this issue, please check out the links listed here.
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