Abstract:
Abuse of elderly people is a form of family
violence, which has existed for years; although available
data signify that much abuse goes unrecognized and is
hidden from public awareness. Abuse of elderly people may
take various forms including physical harm, sexual abuse,
emotional or psychological abuse, financial or material
exploitation, and intentional or unintentional neglect. Studies
indicate that change and modernization have exacerbated the
undermining of the roles, status and the welfare of elderly
people who are increasingly becoming socially isolated and
psychologically depleted. Elderly people in Emuhaya
District may not be devoid of elderly abuse. Nevertheless,
there is a dearth of empirical evidence on the extent and
impact of this phenomenon. Thus, this study was designed to
examine the social context of abuse of the elderly people in
Emuhaya District. Specifically, the study sought to
determine the prevalence of elderly people abuse in the
district; examine different forms of abuse of elderly people;
examine the social contexts under which abuse occurs and to
analyze the attitude of the community towards the elderly
people in the district. It was conducted within the context of
social exclusion and disengagement theories and the concept
of stress of the caregiver. Both quantitative and qualitative
techniques were used to collect data. From a population of
11,127 elderly people aged 65 years and above, Yamane’s
(1967) formula was used to sample 386 respondents. The
findings of the study reveal that 81.1% of the elderly
experience single or multiple abuses. This abuse is attributed
to economical, physical, cultural, social and psychological
factors. Results revealed that different groups of people have
different attitudes towards the elderly and ageing. Generally,
the social context of ageing determines the attitude toward
ageing and the elderly. Since poverty appeared to be the
main pointer to elderly abuse, it was recommended that a
good economic environment should be provided so that the
elderly remain economically productive, thus maintaining
and enhancing the positive attitude of the youth towards the
elderly. In addition, a coordinated community response to
elderly people abuse is imperative. This will include
institutionalized policies coordinated by all levels of the
community including healthcare providers,
community-based elderly abuse advocacy groups, elderly
welfare and protective service agencies and the civil and
criminal justice systems.