Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on elder abuse

International Journal of Scientific and Management Research

Family members regularly mistreat the elderly who rely on them because they lack financial stability and believe that seeking aid will exacerbate their predicament. Elder abuse studies conducted in the last two years indicate that an increased number of elderly citizens have been abused since the COVID-19 outbreak, and many of them did not receive assistance from agencies responding to abuse because they did not report any incidents and did not have access to a phone, even if they desired it. Researchers think that an increase in elder maltreatment is being fuelled, in part, by directives to shelter in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions and lockdowns worldwide. While the UN acknowledges domestic violence against women as a "shadow pandemic," elder abuse may be just as dangerous. This article highlights elder abuse by doing a critical review of some of the recent studies conducted preceding to and during the outbreak of COVID-19. Its pur...

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable population groups disproportionately including people 60 years and older. Although older people comprise approximately 9% of the global population, they account for 30%-40% of cases and more than 80% of all COVID-19-related deaths. [1,2] Interpersonal violence tends to increase during times of unrest, including during economic downturns and natural catastrophes. [3,4] The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased domestic violence and abuse, especially against older people. The World Health Organization (WHO) described elder maltreatment as "a single or repeated act … occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person." [5] Any harm to the older person is likely to affect that individual's physical and psychological health. Elder abuse related to the phenomena of violence should be regarded as a public health issue and is already considered as such by the WHO. Its identification, assessment, and management have forensic and medico-legal implications. [5] Elder abuse can take different forms, namely, physical, sexual, mental, and financial. Physical abuse points to causing harm or injury to the older person such as burns, bruises, bone fractures, and bites. [6] Sexual abuse refers to unwanted sexual activity without consent. It incorporates shock, tension, and posttraumatic stress disorder. [7] Psychological abuse refers to psychological harm. It denotes verbal aggression and threats of abandonment. Psychological abuse often results

Population ageing is an important issue globally. Abuse of the elderly is an important social and public health issue arising from this increase in longevity. Most of the literature on elder abuse is based on studies conducted in developed countries and very little is known about elder abuse in developing countries. There is also cultural variation how abuse of the elderly is perceived. The volume of the elderly population is increasing rapidly in developing countries while traditional social support systems are deteriorating each day due to urbanization and modernization. Subsequently, elderly individuals are at a high risk of being abused. Studies show that the abuse of the elderly has an impact on the health and well-being of elders and can lead to increased health care costs nationwide. It is imperative that international and state organizations as well as every member of society take action to solve the hidden elder abuse issue through comprehensive research so that the elderly can enjoy their remaining years.

The right to the city, the right to livelihood, the right to move, the right to work, the right to being in a place have all got disrupted in the past few months. The unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has sent waves of anxiety and panic throughout the world. The infection does not seem to spare any age group but the elderly are at a higher risk. Elder abuse is a universal pervasive problem of paramount public health importance that garners little attention. Elders suffer from abuse in various ways, like physical, psychological, sexual, material exploitation, and neglect, by their trustworthy caregivers. The elderly face social isolation and one need various ways to mitigate the adverse effects of social isolation. Potential risk factors are social isolation, cognitive impairment, traumatic life events, and dependence on abusers, poor physical and mental health and low social support are some of the concerns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant social restrictive measures such as lockdown in most places throughout the world, elderly abuse has increased to a great extent. This paper discusses plausible reasons and various socio-cultural factors of elderly abuse. It could lead to the possibility of a menace into a ‗social pandemic' in the future.

AbstrAct It is hard to accept the prevalence and existence of elder abuse in India, but it is the reality and so remains the fact. There is insignificant statistical data available which reveals the prevalence of elder abuse in India. Recently researchers as well as academicians are paying greater interest to understand the nature, forms and context of older abuse in almost all over the world. As the number of older people in India has been increasing it is great responsibility on researcher to carry out intensive research on issues in Gerontology which will help eventually to provide remedies for the same. And to start with research on elder abuse need to be focused and strengthened. The article is based upon secondary data which suggest urgent need to have research on elder abuse especially in India. It also explores the need for professional Social Work to intervene and carry out evidence based research in the same.

Journal of Psychosocial Wellbeing, 2020

In Quran, Surat Al-'Isra' 17:23-24 states “if a person is reaching towards late adulthood alone or with their partner, shouldn't be ill-treated, abused, offended but supposed to be served with affection, respect, generosity, and courtesy”. Elderly abusing increases but in a hidden way. Elderly abuse is a highly traumatic phenomenon which tormented and arising with severe problems like physical injury, emotional and mental problems, etc. which affects the elderly people life adversely. Most often the victim of elderly abuse did not report it due to family privacy and reputation. It is prevailing in all kinds of socio-economic groups, religious community, and gets across urban-rural areas. This study is performed with a literature search from Google, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Springer, PubMed correlated to elder abuse in India whether inhome, community or institutions. A paper published after 2000 to 2019 was found using the keywords: elder abuse in India, elderly problems, elder mistreatment, abuse against the elder, physical and social abuse of elderly. The literature relevant to the concerned study was reviewed published and peerreviewed journals written in the English language. The researcher also outlook on the latest international and national reports like WHO Report, HelpAge India Report, etc. Elderly abuse results in depression, isolation, injury, neglect, and even death. There were very few empirical studies on elder abuse in India. This vulnerable group needs special attention for their protection and securing their life and well-being. It is an alarming state of public health priority. There should be an urgent need to modify social attitudes, set up separate administration for elderly peoples to report the cases. Social workers, medical workers, and gerontologists, and other administrators work in collaboration for quick and strong implementation of effective practices for them.

Journal of Population Ageing, 2020

Abuse, Violence, and neglect against men and women have for too long remained a relatively 'unseen' part, being a social problem internationally and even in India. The rising proportion of elderly in India exhibits concern for the well-being of this section of the population. Abuse against the elderly is recognized as an important challenge to elderly health, but its determinants are not yet well understood. Primary research on the issue of elder abuse and neglect in India is limited due to tremendous reluctance to discuss intergenerational conflicts. Thus, the objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of elder abuse and the study also tried to examine the differences in elder abuse cases by several socioeconomic characteristics, chronic conditions, etc. The statistical analysis was based on descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression to understand the profile of elderly experiencing any abuse or violence or neglect or disrespect. Overall 11% had reported any type of elder abuse, while verbal abuse reporting was highest (90%) followed by disrespect (52.5%) and neglect (45.21%) respectively. Physical violence was high among males while 61% of women were being neglected in the society. In rural areas approximately 80% of elderly were facing different types of abuse. Our findings reveal that the most common perpetrator of violence within and outside family, were verbal abuse i.e. 66.34% (within) and physical abuse 45% (outside) the family. Thus, it indicates that elderly women, especially widows, those in oldest-old age group (80+ years) and physically immobile, were more vulnerable to abuse than others. Education, wealth quintile, living alone, and the presence of any morbidity were the important determinant of elder abuse. Not only the poor, but even the rich were also susceptible to neglect and abuse in many families. The government must realize its reasonability and need to bring the needful policies or programmes in the care of the elderly.

Mangal Research Journal, 2023

The purpose of this paper is to identify and summarize the body of research on elder abuse in order to offer a more thorough understanding of the topic. Specifically, the goal is to identify and discuss the situation, risks and preventive measures related to elder abuse in light of Nepal's aging population. This narrative review was conducted after searching the article databases including Google Scholar, PubMed and Nepjol. A total of twenty seven journal articles, four systematic review articles, five books, five reports, one dissertation, two national acts of Nepal, four webpage articles and one methodological journal article were reviewed during a period from September 2022 to June 2023. The narrative review in the area of elder abuse is reflected in this article. Studies have shown that several misuse hazards are higher for senior citizens. Elder abuse is any single or recurrent act that hurts or distresses an older person and takes place in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust. The aging populations of many nations, including Nepal, are growing quickly, as are the number of senior abuse incidents. There are numerous government organizations, international and national non-governmental organizations, and local bodies doing admirable work concerning the investigation of elder abuse and the provision of assistance to elder abuse victims through the sharing of research experiences and the practical implementation of various prevention strategies. However, much more needs to be done for this at-risk population group in our society. In addition to raising social security for all seniors, it is recommended that each municipality in Nepal build an Elderly Service Center.

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 2018

Introduction: Elder abuse (abuse/violence/neglect or disrespect as defined by BKPAI data) among elderly is a deserted and overlooked issue especially in developing countries including India. Aim: To assess the elder abuse and its association with socio-demographic factors among elderly population. Materials and Methods: This study comprises data from BKPAI 2011. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis have been used for the following study. Results: A total of 9852 elderly people were included in this study which was carried out in seven states of India. The mean age of the study subjects was 68.04 ± 7.29 years. Among 9852 elderly people 10% (987) were faced elder abuse. In unadjusted odd-ratio the status of elder abuse was found statistically significant with state, type of residence, sex, age group, caste, education, marital status, migration status, occupation, health condition and economic dependency etc. But in binary logistic regression analysis state, type of residence, sex, education, caste and their migration status were found statistically significant with elder abuse. Conclusion: From the result of this study, the existence of "violence", "neglect", and "disrespect" within the society and community is approved. The problems of abuse among older persons were more mental than physical and elderly at getting older, without partner, with bad health condition, having less money or with no security are on more risk of getting abused.

SCHOLEDGE International Journal of Multidisciplinary & Allied Studies, 2020

The right to the city, the right to livelihood, the right to move, the right to work, the right to being in a place has all got disrupted in the past few months. The unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has sent waves of anxiety and panic throughout the world. The infection does not seem to spare any age group but the elderly are at a higher risk. Elder abuse is a universal pervasive problem of paramount public health importance which garners little attention. Elders suffer from abuse in various ways, like physical, psychological, sexual, material exploitation and neglect, by their trustworthy caregivers. The elderly face social isolation and one needs various ways to mitigate the adverse effects of social isolation. Potential risk factors are social isolation, cognitive impairment, traumatic life events, and dependence on abusers, poor physical and mental health and low social support are some of the concerns Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant social restrictive measures such as lockdown in most places throughout the world, elderly abuse has increased to a great extent. This paper discusses plausible reasons and various socio-cultural factors of elderly abuse. It could lead to a possibility of a menace into a 'social pandemic' in future.