B.Sc NURSING IV YEAR

1. ABUSE OF ELDERS
PRESENTED BY:
Mrs. DEVA PON PUSHPAM.I,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

2. INTRODUCTION
 Population aging is one of the most significant
emerging problem in almost all developing and
developed countries.
 Government of India defines ‘senior citizen’ or
‘elderly’ as a person who is of age 60 years and
above.
 By 2050, around 82% of the world’s elderly
population will be found in developing regions
of Asia.

3. DEFINITION
 A single or repeated act or lack of appropriate
action occurring within any relationship where
there is an expectation of trust, which causes
harm or distress to an older person.
- WHO, 2002

4. CAUSES OF ELDER ABUSE
 Negative attitudes
 Dehumanizing stereotypes
 Violence
 Dependent for basic needs
 Suffering from a physical or mental impairment
 Fear
 Withdrawal depression or helplessness
 Emotionally and financially weak

5. TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE
ELDER ABUSE
PHYSICAL ABUSE
SEXUAL ABUSE
PSYCHOLOGICAL /
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
FINANCIAL /
MATERIAL ABUSE
NEGLECT

6. Contd.,
 PHYSICAL ABUSE : The infliction of pain or injury,
physical coercion or physical or drug induced
restraint.
 SEXUAL ABUSE : Non-consensual sexual contact
of any kind with the older persons.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE : The
infliction of mental anguish.
 FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ABUSE : The illegal or
improper exploitation or use of funds or
resources of the older person

7.  NEGLECT : The refusal or failure to fulfil a care
giving obligation. This may or may not involve a
conscious and intentional attempt to inflict
physical or emotional distress on the elder
person.
Contd.,

8. CHALLENGES OF OLDER POPULATION
 Non communicable diseases
 Life with disability
 Maltreatment
 Long term care need of the hour
 Dementia
 Vulnerable during disasters

9. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ELDER ABUSE
 Changes in personality or behaviour in the elder.
 Fear, anxiety, depression, passiveness in relation to
a family member or care provider.
 Unexplained physical injuries (bruise, sprain, etc).
 Behaviours that mimics dementia.
 Dehydration, poor nutrition, poor hygiene.
 Improper use of medication.
 Confusion about new legal documents.
 Sudden changes in elder’s finances (significant
withdrawals and reluctance to speak about the
situation.

10. STEPS TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE
 National re education and change in attitude
toward the elderly and disabled in the society.
 Develop awareness among the public about
elder abuse.
 Development of programmes to help families
who wish to care for elderly members at home.
 Development of resources to provide meals, day
care, transportation, counselling, etc.
 Watch for warning signs and visit often.
 Watch for financial abuse.

11. WELFARE PROGRAMMES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
IN INDIA
1. Maintenance and welfare of parents and senior
citizens act, 2007 : Introduced to promote need
based maintenance for parents and senior
citizens by providing penalization in case of
abandonment, justifiable through court reversal
of property, establishing old age homes and
facilitating adequate medical facilities.
2. National programme for health care of the
elderly (NPHCE) : Implemented by MoHFW in the
year 2010-11 with an approved amount of
Rs.288crore.

12. Contd.,
The range of services included health promotion,
preventive services, diagnosis and management
of geriatric medical problems, day care services,
rehabilitative services and home based care as
needed.
Sub centre level : Health education, domiciliary
visits, arrangement for supportive devices and
linkage with other support groups.
PHC level : Weekly geriatric clinic, maintaining record
of the elderly, conducting routine health
assessment, provision of medicines and proper
advice on chronic ailments, public awareness and
referral for diseases needing further investigation
and treatment to CHC or district hospital.

13. Contd.,
NATIONAL LEVEL
Regional
Geriatric Centre
DISTRICT LEVEL
Daily geriatric clinic
(10 beds)
CHC / PHC
Geriatric clinic on fixed days
SUB CENTRE
Home based care

14. CHC level : Acts as First referral unit, conducting
geriatric clinic twice a week, rehabilitation unit for
physiotherapy and counselling, domiciliary visits by
the rehabilitation worker, health promotion and
prevention.
District level : Regular OPD services to the elderly,
facilities for laboratory investigations, ten bedded
geriatric ward, specialty services, conducting
camps and referral services.
National or Regional geriatric centre : Geriatric clinic,
30 bedded geriatric ward, laboratory investigations
and tertiary care.
Contd.,

15. Contd.,
3. Travel :
❖ Reservation of seats in the front row in state transport
buses.
❖ Fare concessions in some state transport buses.
❖ 30% fare concession in Indian railways.
❖ Wheel chairs and ramps are made available at junctions.
❖ Discount on flights to USA, UK and Europe in Air India.
❖ Antyodaya sceme – The below poverty line families that
has older persons are issued food grains
35kg/family/month (Rice Rs.3/kg and wheat Rs.2/kg)

16. 4. Income tax exemptions : Ministry of Finance
provides tax exemptions for senior citizens of 60
years and above up to Rs. 2.50lakhs per annum
and for senior citizens above 80 years
exemption up to Rs.5 lakh per annum.
5. Pensions portal : Government of India,
Department of Pensions set up a pension portal
to assist senior citizens to get information
regarding the status of their application, the
amount of pension, documents requires, etc.
This portal accepts grievance from older people.
Contd.,