Elder Abuse in the Iberian Peninsula and Bolivia: A Multicountry Comparative Study.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of abuse of vulnerable older persons in the family and community environment in the following regions-Spain (Andalusia-Córdoba), Portugal (Azores), and Bolivia (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)-and to identify risk factors and delineate a profile of abused older persons. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of people in the age group 65 years plus living in the catchment areas of health centers. The following were used as instruments to collect data: the medical record of the patients of relevant health centers, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), daily activities autonomy test, adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve (APGAR) familiar test, The Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) and the Social Work Evaluation Form. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with abuse. Suspected abuse was identified in 6.9% of the elderly who participated in the study in Spain, 39% in Bolivia, and 24.5% in Azores. In all areas, studied psychological abuse was the most common type of abuse. In conclusion, although the prevalence of abuse to older people in the family and community environment differs in the areas studied, it is present in all countries and the data are comparable with other developing and European countries. The profile of the abused older persons appears to be similar in all countries.

Elder Abuse in a Developing Area in Bolivia.

In many parts of the world, elder abuse happens almost unnoticed. Until recently, this serious social problem was hidden from public view and was regarded as an essentially private matter. However, there is growing evidence that elder abuse is an important problem of public health and in the society. The objective of this study is to determine the degree of abuse of elder and vulnerable people in the families and communities of Eastern Bolivia. With this end in mind, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 210 60-year-old people coming from different health care areas. Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) and Yaffe's Evaluation Form of Social Work were used. An abuse rate of 39% of the older adults was identified. The most common type of abuse observed was psychological abuse (32.4% of cases), followed by neglect (21.9%). Children were identified as triggers of the abuse in 66.7% of cases of abuse. The prevalence of elder abuse was similar to the prevalence of other types of abuse that exist in Bolivia, such as the gender-based abuse. Also, this prevalence is comparable to other developing countries and European countries. The profile of abused older adult is as follows: woman, widow, 70 years old, incomplete primary education, without an occupation, and an average of 4.59 children. The information obtained shows that dysfunctional families have a higher percentage of elder abuse.

Elder abuse within the family environment in the Azores Islands / Maus-tratos no ambiente familiar contra idosos nas Ilhas dos Açores / Maltrato en el entorno familiar a las personas mayores en las Islas Azores

ABSTRACT Objectives: to dimension abuse against vulnerable adults within the family and community environment in the Azores Islands, identify risk factors for abuse and describe the profile of an abused elder. Method: descriptive cross-sectional study. Random sampling. The instruments used were: clinical histories of the users, Mini-Mental State Examination, Index of Independence in Basic Activities of Daily Living, Family APGAR Scale, Elder Abuse Suspicion Index and Social Work Assessment Form. Descriptive statistical analysis was used for qualitative and quantitative variables and multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with elder mistreatment. Results: abuse suspicion was identified in 24.5% of elderly participants. Psychological abuse was the most common type of abuse and sons were the main abusers. Conclusion: being a woman and belonging to a dysfunctional family is associated with an increased risk of becoming a victim of abuse; the high level of domestic violence against the elderly in the Azores Islands is in line with the rest of Portugal.

RESUMO Objetivos: dimensionar os maus-tratos contra as pessoas idosas vulneráveis no ambiente familiar e comunitário nas Ilhas dos Açores, identificar fatores de risco para maus-tratos e definir o perfil do idoso maltratado. Método: estudo descritivo transversal. Amostragem aleatória. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: prontuários dos usuários, Mini Exame do Estado Mental, teste de autonomia para as Atividades Básicas da Vida Diária, Escala APGAR Familiar, Índice de Suspeição de Abuso no Idoso e Formulário de Avaliação de Trabalho Social. Análise estatística descritiva foi usada para as variáveis qualitativas e quantitativas e regressão logística múltipla foi usada para identificar os fatores associados aos maus-tratos. Resultados: suspeita de maus-tratos foi identificada em 24,5% dos idosos participantes. O abuso psicológico foi o tipo de maus-tratos mais comum e os responsáveis por esses maus-tratos foram principalmente os filhos. Conclusão: ser mulher e pertencer a uma família disfuncional está associado com uma maior probabilidade de sofrer maus-tratos; o alto nível de violência doméstica contra os idosos nas Ilhas dos Açores segue o mesmo padrão do resto de Portugal.

RESUMEN Objetivos: dimensionar el maltrato a personas mayores vulnerables en el entorno familiar y comunitario de las Islas Azores, identificar factores de riesgo de maltrato y definir el perfil del anciano maltratado. Método: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Muestreo aleatorio. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: historias clínicas de los usuarios, Mini-Examen Cognitivo, test de autonomía para las Actividades Básicas de la Vida Diaria, Test de APGAR Familiar, Índice de Sospecha de Maltrato hacia Personas Mayores y Formulario de Evaluación de Trabajo Social. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo para las variables cualitativas y cuantitativas y una regresión logística múltiple para identificar los factores asociados al maltrato. Resultados: se identificó sospecha de maltrato en el 24,5% de los ancianos participantes. El maltrato psicológico fue el tipo de maltrato más común y los desencadenantes de ese maltrato fueron principalmente los hijos. Conclusión: se asocia ser mujer y pertenecer a familia disfuncional con mayor probabilidad de padecer maltrato; el alto nivel de la violencia domestica a los ancianos en las Islas Azores sigue la línea que en el resto de Portugal.

Developing a Research Agenda on Resident-to-Resident Aggression: Recommendations From a Consensus Conference.

This article provides an overview of the development of a research agenda on resident-to-resident aggression (RRA) in long-term care facilities by an expert panel of researchers and practitioners. A 1-day consensus-building workshop using a modified Delphi approach was held to gain consensus on nomenclature and an operational definition for RRA, to identify RRA research priorities, and to develop a roadmap for future research on these priorities. Among the six identified terms in the literature, RRA was selected. The top five priorities were: (a) developing/assessing RRA environmental interventions; (b) identification of the environmental factors triggering RRA; (c) incidence/prevalence of RRA; (d) developing/assessing staff RRA education interventions; and (e) identification of RRA perpetrator and victim characteristics. Given the significant harm RRA poses for long-term care residents, this meeting is an important milestone, as it is the first organized effort to mobilize knowledge on this under-studied topic at the research, clinical, and policy levels.

Critical concepts in elder abuse research.

BACKGROUND: This paper identifies core elements in principal definitions of elder abuse or mistreatment of older adults (EA/MOA) and discusses the relevance of four crucial concepts: age, vulnerability, trust, and power balance in relationships. METHOD: A critical analysis of selected literature in EA/MOA with a focus on works from the last 10 years. RESULTS: Current definitions of EA/MOA share commonalities regarding an understanding of elder abuse as a status offence, the inclusion of both acts and omissions, and the consideration of multiple levels of behavior and its effects. Definitions differ with regard to aspects as crucial as the intentionality of an abusive action and its actual or potential harmful effects. EA/MOA can be considered as a complex subtype of victimization in later life limited to victim-perpetrator relationships, where the perpetrator has assumed responsibility for the victim, the victim puts trust in the offender, or the role assigned to the offending person creates the perception and expectation that the victim may trust the perpetrator. Vulnerability is identified as a key variable in EA/MOA theory and research. With regard to neglect, the mere possibility of being neglected presupposes a heightened level of vulnerability. Power imbalance often characterizes victim - perpetrator relationships but is not a necessary characteristic of abuse. CONCLUSION: Research on EA/MOA needs conceptual development. Confining phenomena of EA/MOA to specific relationships and tying them to notions of vulnerability has implications for research design and sampling and points to the limits of population-based victimization surveys.

Elder mistreatment: an international narrative.

This eclectic overview of global reports on elder mistreatment reflects both the diversity of the work of the authors and the situations in the countries described. Some nations frame elder mistreatment as a human rights issue; others trace the development of emerging programs and practices as they articulate strategies designed to identify, prevent, and reduce the problem, while recognizing the shifting context in which elder mistreatment takes place. This article sheds light on the way different countries share their stories, policies, and initiatives, which stimulate discussions and debates of various aspects and cultural nuances of elder mistreatment. The data presented provide a platform for increased action toward preventing elder mistreatment and celebrate successes while looking for new ways to address challenges.