1. AGE-IN-ACTION

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

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

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

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

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

25. Contact details Age-in-Action Western Cape
3rd floor , Boland Bank Building
Lower Burg street
Central Business District of Cape Town
Tel: