On the 10th anniversary of World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day, set up by the UN General Assembly and designated to be held every June 15, a high-level two-day conference was held in Brussels.
The event was organised jointly by the Council of Europe, the European Commission, AGE Platform Europe and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.
The conference sought to take stock of European and international action to tackle elder abuse so as to protect and promote the rights of older people. It was also an opportunity to showcase examples of good practices from around Europe.
Various speakers from different parts and regions of Europe showed how they were using the European and international framework to challenge elder abuse and ensure equal participation of older people in their community. Also, gaps in the policy framework were highlighted to reduce elder abuse.
The conference was of relevance to all actors in the field of elder abuse: EU policymakers, national, regional and local authorities, national human rights institutions, NGOs, academics, international institutions and the media.
In 2008, the WHO gave a definition of elder abuse: “Elder abuse refers to a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”
Such elder abuse can occur through unintentional omission or neglect as well as deliberate acts. As such, habits, routine or inadequate training may lead to poor quality care irrespective of whether this happens in old people’s homes, institutions or within a family setting. Such poor-quality care is bound to impinge on older people’s human rights.
Very often, abuse of older people goes undetected and information on the prevalence of elder maltreatment across the EU is incomplete. The WHO European report on elder mistreatment provides some estimates based on existing studies.
Very often, abuse of older people goes undetected and information on the prevalence of elder maltreatment across the EU is incomplete
Elder maltreatment leads to an estimated 2,500 (30 per cent) annual homicides among older people. Its prevalence in the community is high (about three per cent) and may be as high as 25 per cent for older people with high support needs. The main risk factors for abuse include gender, the need for care and support and the unavailability of support services.
There has been greater recognition of the need to prevent abuse in Europe in recent years both in policy and practice. Some countries have applied innovative projects and policies to prevent elder abuse and the EU has developed a number of initiatives to reduce the risk.
However, elder abuse remains a significant concern in all EU countries and more action is needed to address it and safeguard the rights of older people in need of care.
The conference took stock of several aspects of abuse that are particularly challenging, including adequate support to older victims and financial abuse. It showcased what a right-based approach to these issues means in practice and how the European and international framework can support and guide policy-makers and practitioners.
The conference built on the outcomes of last year’s seminar, which brought together experts from the legal and social spheres to discuss how to address the rights of older people in care settings.
The conference tackled how human rights standards could be implemented when services were provided by private actors and informal caregivers and provided an exchange of experiences and good practice at local, regional and national level on tackling elder abuse by building links between EU and international instruments and their implementation.
The problem of abuse and violence cannot be solved by anyone alone. If acts of violence are observed, open dialogue with all those concerned should be resorted to. If someone is exposed to violence, they should talk to a person they feel they trust. If any signs of violence in care institutions housing old people are noticed, they should be addressed to the manager of the facility.
If violence occurs in your professional environment, discuss this with your colleagues and seek an interdisciplinary exchange of views. At all times, however, we need to take action.
As more people are living into old age, let us help in seeing our elderly age in dignity and respect. They deserve every tender care and peace and calm in their vulnerable years.
Helen Borg Bonnici is a member of AGE Platform Europe.