AGE-IN-ACTION

MISSION Age-in-Action is a developmental organisation which strives, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to uphold the rights and dignity of older persons through advocacy and lobbying, research and technology, improved access to care, support, protection, training, development and sustainable economic empowerment.

ABOUT AGE-IN-ACTION NGO, NPO Organisation Membership organisation Head Office in Lower Burg Street Satellite offices in Lamberts Bay and George Also servicing Boland and Overberg regions Community work and Case Work Assistance with protection order processes

ELDER ABUSE Definition: “Deliberate and unintentional maltreatment, physical, emotional, social and financial abuse of elderly persons. It is destructive behavior which causes suffering to the elderly person.” Elderly abuse affects the elderly from all social, economic, ethnic and racial groups. It is found in all societies at all levels!

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Socio-economic factors – lack of housing , unemployment The home environment Family circumstances Psycho-social factors – substance abuse Dependency Illness Disability Lack of support

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ABUSE Physical Abuse Emotional/Psychological Abuse Financial/Material Abuse Violation of Human Rights Sexual Abuse Passive Neglect Social/Physical Isolation Self Abuse/Neglect

PHYSICAL ABUSE Examples Signs Slapping, pushing, hitting, bruising, Definition Acts that cause injury and Physical discomfort Examples Slapping, pushing, hitting, bruising, burning, cutting Signs Bruises, burns, swelling and unexplained injuries

EMOTIONAL ABUSE Definition Acts that inflict emotional or mental suffering Examples Insults, blame, ignored sworn, shouting, intimidation Signs Nervousness, anxiety, Low-self esteem, fear, withdrawal

FINANCIAL ABUSE Definition Misuse of funds and assets, obtaining property without consent Examples Exploitation of funds, theft, fraud, damage Signs Unusual bank balance, alteration of wills, loss of property

SOCIAL/PHYSICAL ISOLATION Definition Abandonment, forced isolation from the community/ friends and family Examples Being locked in the house all day, restricted outings or visits Signs Withdrawal, depression, apathy

PASSIVE NEGLECT Definition Failure to fulfill needs withholding basic care for physical and mental wellbeing Examples Withholding food, warmth, clothing, medication Signs Untreated medical condition malnutrition, dirty physical appearance

SELF ABUSE/ NEGLECT Definition Failure to care for ones self, harmful behaviour towards oneself Examples Alcoholic, drug addict, improper diet Signs Lack of personal hygiene, erratic and harmful behaviour

SEXUAL ABUSE Definition Sexual behavior towards a person without their full knowledge and consent Examples Sexual assault, harassment Signs Bruising, bleeding, injury or pain to abdominal and genital areas

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Definition Withholding information, dominating decision making Examples Denial of rights, the right to information, freedom of thought, belief etc. Signs Lack awareness with certain issues

ACCOMODATION OF ELDERLY ABUSE Elderly may accommodate to abuse as a way of coping with trauma. Aspects of adapting to abuse Being secretive Feeling helpless Blaming oneself Delayed disclosure Dependency on perpetrator Shame Fear of institutionalisation Fear of not being believed Fear of consequences

BARRIERS TO INTERVENTION Lack of public awareness Limited knowledge about aging Lack of alternatives to family care and inability to escape Severe emotions involved in reporting abuser Victims often hide facts out of fear of further abuse. Fear of possible institutionalisation The fact that the elderly is often house bound or bedridden

PROFILE OF THE VICTIM Gender: 7 Females to 1 Male – is that because women live longer than men?? Mental Status: of sound mind to dementia Physical State: mobile to immobile Social factors: all areas Care needs: constant supervision, assistant with daily living requirements

PROFILE OF THE ABUSER Relationship to the victim: 85% of abusers are family members or have a direct relationship to the OP (nurses / carers) many family members abuse drugs/alcohol so there is a layered problem. Psycho Social factors: feeling loss of control, depression, low self-esteem Social factors: aggressive, hurtful criticism, withdrawal, isolation, financial stress

What is the process of reporting abuse EVERY person has a duty to report alleged abuse Failure to report is an offence Age-in-Action staff is knowledgeable in this regard and can provide support , however abuse can be reported to nearest SAPS All alleged abuse cases are allocated a number and registered with DSD by way of a Section 14 form within 48 hours

STATS Age-in-action (new cases in August 2018) Physical – 1 Psychological – 7 Economic – 15

STATS Age-in-Action quarterly April – June 2018 Physical – 3 Psychological – 29 Economic – 23 WHY does physical abuse appear to be low …… ???

OTHER cases Age-in-action deal with include: OAH application and accommodation needs Family discord Homelessness Material needs Substance abuse Counselling/support

Referrals Club visits to do educational awareness for the Ops like Abuse Awareness Hospitals Courts Residential old age homes DSD

Obstacles facing intervention Access to OAH denied Access to private homes denied OPs change their mind OPs are threatened by perpetrator

Contact details Age-in-Action Western Cape 3rd floor , Boland Bank Building Lower Burg street Central Business District of Cape Town Tel: 021 423 0204 wcape@age-in-action.co.za