2017/11/25
Training Newsletter No. 24
On Saturday, November 25, we held a one-hour training session at サン介護センター from 18:30 to 19:30 on "Preventing Abuse of Older Adults and People with Disabilities."
[What Is Elder Abuse?] Everyone wants to make their own decisions, have those decisions respected by others, and live with dignity, regardless of whether they need care.
In reality, however, elder abuse—the violation of older adults' human rights by family members, relatives, or others—is a serious problem.
Abuse includes physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as abandonment and neglect of care. People often do not realize that their behavior is abusive. Even actions intended to help, such as firmly insisting that someone stay in bed to prevent a fall, can put an older person at risk without the person responsible recognizing the behavior as abuse.
[Factors Behind Elder Abuse]
(Caregiver-related factors) Caregiver exhaustion and other pressures can increase stress and contribute to abuse. Support from those around the caregiver is especially important when care continues over a long period. Illness or mental health difficulties affecting the person responsible can also contribute to abuse.
(Factors affecting the older person) An older person may have difficulty communicating their needs because of dementia-related confusion in speech or behavior, limited physical independence, or similar circumstances.
(Relationship factors) A parent's aging or dementia can disrupt the balance of emotional and financial dependence within a family, potentially contributing to abuse. In light of these factors, we believe it is essential to identify early warning signs and take action to prevent abuse before it develops.