Psychological Abuse Of The Elderly For Family Members And Carers

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Psychological (si-ko-LOJ-i-kal) abuse, also called emotional abuse, is a form of family violence. An older person may be called an elder. There is no set age for an elder, but it may be defined as when a person retires at the age of 60 or 65 years old. In certain countries, it may be when a person physically cannot do his usual family or work roles anymore. Psychological or emotional abuse occurs when an abuser or someone causes mental or emotional pain, distress, suffering, or anguish to an elder. Family members or any person that is caring for an elder may unknowingly or on purpose be an abuser.
  
  
• Psychological or emotional abuse includes insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or harassing through words or actions. This may also involve ignoring or not speaking to the elder, or isolating him from family members, friends, or his regular activities. Financial or material misuse and violation of rights may also be considered psychological abuse. Financial abuse happens when someone steals or improperly or illegally uses an elder's money, property, assets, or funds. With violation of rights, the elder's rights are ignored, limited, or completely not allowed even if he can think, decide, or act for himself.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of psychological abuse may include anxiety, sleep problems, or changes in mood or eating patterns. The elder may become shy or withdrawn, or have depression or worsening health conditions. An elder's property, money, or other assets may be missing or his signatures may be forged (copied). His rights may be violated by not allowing him to see or talk to others or do his usual activities. Psychological abuse may be diagnosed by a mental exam. Treatment for elders who are victims of psychological abuse may include medicines to calm him, treatment of present diseases, and counseling. When psychological abuse is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or are victims of psychological abuse.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of these medicines, the amounts, and when and why the victim needs them. Bring the list of his medicines or the pill bottles when you see his caregivers. Learn why the victim takes each medicine. Ask for information about the medicines. Do not let the victim take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Make sure all medicine is used as directed by caregivers. Call his caregiver if you think the victim's medicines are not helping or if you feel he is having side effects. Do not let the victim quit taking his medicines until he discusses it with his caregiver. If the victim is taking medicines that make him drowsy, do not let him drive or leave him alone.

Follow-up visits: Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have about the victim's condition, treatment, or care. Ask these questions at the next caregiver visit.

Activity and rest: The victim may need to rest in bed and get plenty of sleep. He may want to nap during the day. Tell the victim's caregivers if he has trouble sleeping.

Caring for the elder victims of psychological abuse:

• Be well informed about laws that may help. Laws are in place to help those who are victims of psychological abuse. Contact the police or other special agencies when elder abuse happens. Reporting psychological abuse of the elderly is the right thing to do. Caregivers may be required by law to report psychological abuse.
  
  
• Help the victim to be patient and keep his hopes up for improvement. Help the victim to be patient and not to be too hard on himself. Teach him to be the first one to encourage himself and find ways to boost his self-esteem. Working together with people whom the victim can trust may help him get through the hard times.
  
  
• Learn more about abuse of the elderly. The more you know about elder abuse, the better you will be able to help the victim. Ask his caregiver for good sources of information. Work with his caregiver and other people recovering from psychological abuse to help the victim.

Counseling: A caregiver may talk to you, to the victim, his family, friends, or those who should be held responsible for the psychological abuse. This may include what may happen if psychological abuse is not stopped. The victim may need to leave his current living situation to escape the abuse.

Legal action: A special power of attorney may be given to someone who may truly take care of the victim and his assets. Police or other special agencies should be informed. They may help file complaints to stop the abuse.

For support and more information: Reporting psychological abuse may be hard to do, but it is very important. By reporting psychological abuse, the victim will get the help that he needs to stop the abuse from happening or continuing Talk to the elder victim and help him discuss his true feelings. You, the elder victim, and his family may also want to join a support group. This is a group of elders who may have also been abused. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• National Center on Elder Abuse
  1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 350
  Washington, DC 20005
  Phone: 1-202-898-2586
  Web Address: http://www.elderabusecenter.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The elder victim cannot get to the next meeting with his caregiver.
  
  
• The elder victim has new signs and symptoms since the last time he visited his caregiver.
  
  
• You or the victim have questions or concerns about his condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The victim feels like hurting himself or someone else.
  
  
• The victim feels that he cannot cope with the abuse, or his recovery from it.
  
  
• The victim has problems sleeping.
  
  
• The victim has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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