Study on elder abuse and neglect among patients in a medical college hospital, Bangalore, India

Abstract

Elder abuse and neglect is a problem that occurs across all settings and all populations. Elder abuse has many forms, such as abandonment, emotional or psychological abuse, financial or material exploitation, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. We conducted this research to determine the prevalence of various types of abuse and neglect and their associated factors among elderly patients attending the urban and rural geriatric clinics at a medical college hospital in Bangalore, India. A total of 200 elderly patients participated in the study. The overall prevalence of elder abuse or neglect was 32 (16%), comprised of: verbal abuse in 25 (12.5%); neglect in 22 (11%); financial abuse in 17 (8.5%); and physical abuse in 3 (1.5%). Hence, many elderly patients had experienced multiple forms of abuse. There was statistically significant association between elder abuse and total financial dependence, lack of social support, and depression among the elderly patients.

Prevalence and Predictors of Abuse in Elderly Patients with Depression at a Tertiary Care Centre in Saurashtra, India

“…Studies conducted in patients attending a geriatric clinic of Bangalore, India, and senior in-patients with psychiatric morbidity of Czech Republic found 23.8% and 16% prevalence of elder abuse, respectively. [ 15 16 ] Large surveys in India, Europe and China reported elderly abuse rates of 23%, 29.3%, 36.2%, respectively. [ 1 25 26 ] The studies conducted in communities of urban Chennai and rural Bangalore showed 14% and 40.94% prevalence of elder abuse, respectively.…”

“…[ 15 ] In addition, a hospital-based study from India reported that elder abuse was positively and significantly associated with depressive symptoms. [ 16 ] The feeling of dissatisfaction with life, often being bored, feeling helpless and feeling worthless were associated with an increased risk of elder abuse. [ 39 ] Depression was the consistent risk factor for psychological and neglect subtypes of elder mistreatment.…”

“…A comparative study between the psychogeriatric and internal ward in a mental hospital of Kromeriz, Czech Republic, reported 23.8% of elder abuse, and another cross-sectional study in a geriatric clinic of a medical college hospital in Bangalore reported 16% of elder abuse. [ 15 16 ] On exploring database till date, no Indian study designed about abuse in elderly patients with depression was found; hence, this study would contribute towards filling this gap. This study was designed to explore the magnitude of the problem of abuse and its relation to various sociodemographic variables in patients with old age depression attending Psychiatry Out Patient Department (OPD) of Shree M. P. Shah Government Medical College (MPSGMC) and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital (GGH), Jamnagar.…”

Elder abuse and associated factors in eastern romania

“…Although they receive less attention, psychological and emotional abuse have a significant impact on the course of chronic illnesses, particularly by the worsening of depression and self‐neglect, altered nutritional and frailty status, dramatic decline in quality of life. The risk factors for elder abuse are multiple and vary depending on demographic areas, studied populations, ethnic and religious peculiarities . The most cited risk factors are: socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and, to a lesser extent, the presence of physical function impairment, social isolation and cognitive disorders …”

“…The risk factors for elder abuse are multiple and vary depending on demographic areas, studied populations, ethnic and religious peculiarities. 12,13 The most cited risk factors are: socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and, to a lesser extent, the presence of physical function impairment, social isolation and cognitive disorders. 14 Abuse of older persons can occur both in the domestic environment, at home, and in long-term care facilities or nursing homes.…”