Elderly abuse

Svoju želju za dominacijom ljudi često najlakše ostvaruju putem nasilja. Agresiju je uvijek lakše usmjeriti na slabije od sebe i nezaštićene. Upravo se osobe starije životne dobi često nađu u ulozi slabijih i nezaštićenih čime postaju žrtve nasilja. Poznato je da sa starijom dobi dolazi do specifičnih promjena u organizmu zbog kojih njegove funkcije postepeno slabe zbog čega velik broj osoba starije dobi postaje ovisno o tuđoj skrbi. S povećanjem stupnja ovisnosti povećan je stupanj i ranjivosti osobe pa tako mnogo njih postaje ranjivo na nasilje. Prema Svjetskoj zdravstvenoj organizaciji nasilje nad osobama starije dobi je „pojedinačan ili ponavljajući čin ili nedostatak odgovarajućeg postupanja, koje se događa u bilo kojem odnosu očekivanja i povjerenja, a koje uzrokuje štetu, bol, nepriliku i/ili nevolju starijoj osobi.“ Pritom šteta može biti nanesena od strane ljudi koje osoba poznaje ili s kojima ima odnos, poput supružnika, partnera ili člana obitelji, prijatelja ili susjeda ili onih na koje se oslanjaju u pružanju usluga. Često razlikujemo ono nasilje koje osobe starije dobi doživljavaju u obitelji i ono koje se dešava u ustanovama koje skrbe za starije osobe. Prema pojedinim istraživanjima više od dvije trećine zlostavljača čine članovi obitelji, no zabrinjavajuće je da nasilje u obitelji često ostaje prekriveno i prešućeno. Skrb za osobu starije dobi u obitelji nerijetko je vrlo zahtjevna. Uz stresan obiteljski život i često nepripremljene skrbnike rizik da osoba starije životne dobi postane žrtva nasilja povećava se. Fizičko, psihičko, seksualno, financijsko ili materijalno zlostavljanje i zanemarivanje neki su od pojavnih oblika nasilja u obitelji, baš kao i u ustanovama za starije i nemoćne. Kao mogući počinitelji nasilja nad osobama starije dobi u ustanovama navodi se formalno osoblje, drugi štićenici te posjetitelji. Bilo koji oblik nasilja, odnosno zlostavljanja donosi neku vrstu posljedica. Neke od njih mogu biti itekako ozbiljne i dalekosežne. Narušavanje fizičkog i mentalnog zdravlja, gubitak materijalne sigurnosti, pa i smrt do sad su zabilježene posljedice. Zbog sve većeg opsega i ozbiljnosti ovog problema na zajednici je da poduzme potrebne mjere kako bi nasilje spriječili, a osobama starije životne dobi osigurali mirno i dostojno starenje.People often most easily realize their desire for domination through violence. It is always easier to direct aggression at those who are weaker than themselves and unprotected. It is the elderly who often find themselves in the role of the weak and unprotected. It is known that with old age there are specific changes in the body due to which its functions gradually weaken, which is why a large number of elderly people become dependent on other people's care. As the degree of addiction increases, the degree and vulnerability of a person increases, so many of them become vulnerable to violence. According to the World Health Organization, violence against the elderly is "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." Damage can be caused by people the person knows or has a relationship with, such as a spouse, partner or family member, friend or neighbor, or those they rely on to provide services. We often distinguish between the violence that older people experience in the family and the violence that takes place in institutions that care for the elderly. According to some research, more than two thirds of abusers are family members, but it is worrying that domestic violence often remains covered up and silenced. Caring for an elderly person in the family is often very demanding. With a stressful family life and unprepared caregivers, the risk of an elderly person becoming a victim of violence increases. Physical, psychological, sexual, financial or material abuse and neglect are some of the manifestations of domestic violence, as well as in institutions for the elderly and infirm. Formal staff, other wards and visitors are listed as possible perpetrators of violence against the elderly in institutions. Any form of violence or abuse brings some kind of consequences. Some of them can be very serious. Impaired physical and mental health, loss of material security, and even death have been reported so far. Due to the growing scope and seriousness of this problem, it is up to the community to take the necessary measures to prevent violence and ensure peaceful and dignified aging for the elderly