What is elder abuse?
Update date: March 11, 2019
Refers to situations or acts in which the rights and interests of the elderly are infringed upon, resulting in some kind of hindrance to the elderly's life, mind and body, or daily life, due to inappropriate interaction with the elderly by someone who takes care of them in their daily lives. Masu.
Living life with dignity is what everyone wants, regardless of whether they need nursing care or not. However, in reality, "elder abuse", in which family members and relatives violate the human rights of the elderly, has become a problem.
Examples of inappropriate responses to the elderly
Even if you are doing things for the sake of the elderly, or even if you are providing care, you may end up inflicting deep physical and mental damage on the elderly. Sometimes you abuse someone without even realizing it.
Elder abuse can be classified into the following five categories:
1. Physical abuse
・Because they don't do as they're told, I end up hitting them or yelling at them. ・I hit them to make them understand what is right and wrong. ・They wander off due to dementia, so I try not to let them leave the room.
2. Psychological abuse
・Do not speak because they do not listen to what they say ・Intentionally ignore elderly people when they are talking to them ・Treat them like children, yell at them, curse, or call them names embarrass, etc.
3. Financial Abuse
- Restricts taking the child to the hospital due to financial hardship - Does not give the person the amount needed for daily life or does not allow the person to spend it - Uses the person's pension, savings, etc. against the person's will or interests・Managing pension handbooks and savings passbooks and using them without permission, etc.
4. Neglect (abandonment of care/care, neglect)
・Do not take care of the person because it is difficult to care for him/her ・Do not give the person enough food or water ・Leave garbage in the room or make the person live in poor conditions or living environment ・Because the person needs nursing care/medical services Restricting or prohibiting use, etc.
5. Sexual Abuse
- Leaving the lower body naked as punishment - Changing diapers in public, etc.
self neglect
Recently, there are many elderly people who are neglecting their own lives, health, and livelihoods (self-neglect), and the city is taking measures similar to abuse.
Elderly Abuse Prevention Act
In April 2006, the Act on Prevention of Elderly Abuse and Support for Caregivers of Elderly People (hereinafter referred to as the Elderly Abuse Prevention Act) was enacted.
Basic perspective of the Elder Abuse Prevention Act
Prioritize the protection of the elderly
When dealing with elder abuse, protecting the life and dignity of the elderly is a top priority.
Regardless of whether the abusive behavior is intentional or not, if the human rights of the elderly are violated, it is considered abuse.
Supporting seniors and their families
When abuse occurs, it is easy to think of the abuser as the perpetrator, but in many cases it is the abuser who is in need of support.
It is important to support both the elderly and the abuser by considering where the contributing factors to the abuse are and what problems the family is having.
Inquiries regarding this page
Inagi City Welfare Department Elderly Welfare Division
2111 Higashinagumanuma, Inagi City, Tokyo
Phone: 042-378-2111 Fax: 042-377-4781