Instutional abuse of the elderly

Cilj ovoga rada je približavanje problematici nasilja nad starijim osobama u ustanovama zdravstvene i socijalne skrbi. Zlostavljanje starijih osoba može biti namjerno ili nenamjerno, pa stoga može izravno uzrokovati štetu starijoj osobi od strane formalnog njegovatelja/profesionalaca, kao i neosiguravanje osnovnih potreba ili zaštite starijih osoba od povrede. Ono uključuje psihičko, tjelesno, financijsko i seksualno zlostavljanje, te zanemarivanje. Rad prikazuje oblike nasilja, čimbenike rizika koji mogu dovesti do nasilnog ponašanja stručnjaka, pregled dosadašnjih istraživanja o ovom problemu i mjere prevencije koje mogu biti poduzete i koje su pojedine zemlje poduzele za suzbijanje zlostavljanja starijih osoba unutar takvih ustanova. Budući da u Republici Hrvatskoj tema nasilja nad starijim osobama u ustanovama još uvijek nije postala predmetom istraživanja, potrebno je osvrnuti se na postojeće međunarodne podatke i spoznaje koje naglašavaju važnost prevencije nasilja nad starijima od strane stručnjaka, potrebi zaštite starijih osoba i nužnost bavljenja ovom problematikom.The aim of this work is to approach the abuse issue of older persons in health and social care institutions. Abuse of the elderly can be intentional or non-intentional, and it can, therefore, cause damage to older people from the formal nursing attendant/professional, as well as the noninsurance of basic needs and protection of the elderly from injuries. This includes psychological, physical, financial and sexual abuse and negligence. This work shows the forms of abuse, risk factors that can bring to abusive professional behaviour, a view of past researches on this issue, prevention measures that can be taken and which some countries have taken in order to suppress abuse of the elderly in such institutions. Since the topic of institutional abuse of the elderly has not yet become a research issue in the Republic of Croatia, one needs to refer to international data and cognition which emphasize the importance of the perception of abuse of the elderly by professionals, the need for elderly protection and the need to engage in this matter