Prachi Shukla
Research Scholar
Department of Human Development
College of Home Science
PAU, Ludhiana
Tejpreet Kaur Kang
Professor and Head
Department of Human Development
College of Home Science
PAU, Ludhiana
Abstract
Elder abuse, also called elder mistreatment or elder maltreatment, includes psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, neglect (caregiver neglect and self-neglect), and financial exploitation. Elder abuse is the most recent form of family violence to come to the attention of modern societies. Elder abuse has received increasing attention over the past decade as a common problem with serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of old people. The elderly who have no assets, little or no savings and who are part of families with low income are most vulnerable as low income families are not able to fully endure the burden of old age dependencies, as a result old persons are facing problems like high disease prevalence, inappropriate shelter, loss of dignity, mental peace, lack of access to social services and intergenerational violence and abuse. Adults older than 65 who live at home or in long-term care facilities may be at risk for abuse. The mistreatment of elderly causes a range of long- term physical and psychological health problems. Since certain factors precipitate abusive situation of elder abuse if the person is physically and mentally challenged or economically dependent. The best form of protection from problems of elders is to prevent them. Elders can be motivated and trained to work on productive activities that would be useful to them. The cost of health treatment has to be addressed so that no person is denied necessary health care for financial reasons. Rehabilitation, community or home based disability support and end-of-life care should also be provided where needed, in a holistic manner, to effectively address the issue failing health among the elderly.
Key words: Elder, Abuse, Depression.
