Relationship between Abuse Experience and Quality of Life of Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Elder abuse may increase the vulnerability of older adults to diseases and decrease their general health status, Addressing this issue is important for promoting quality of life of older adults. Aim: the aim of the study was to identify the relationship between abuse experience and quality of life of community dwelling older adults. Setting: The study was carried out in the outpatient clinics in the Shark EL-Madina hospital in Alexandria, Egypt (medical, hepatology, and cardiology). Subjects: The study included, one hundred older adults aged 60 years and above, able to communicate effectively, and accept to participate in the study Tools: three tools were used in this study; the socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, LEIPAD Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST). Results: the majority of the study subjects who reported abuse experience were females, widows, housewives and illiterate. Poor quality of life was noted among females, widows, and illiterate. The majority of the abused older adults had one or more medical problems, and use of an assistive device. There is no a statistically significant difference between elders' abuse experience and their quality of life. Conclusion: A positive relationship was found between the abuse experience of the studied older adults and their quality of life, however no a statistical significant relation. Recommendations: In-service training programs should be planned by the gerontological nurse and offered to the caregivers of older adults, health care professionals, and social service workers both in the community and in institutional settings, focused on the detection and prevention of elder abuse. Raising awareness of the general public and the responsible authorities via mass media about the importance of this problem.