NCJ Number
167050
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 23-31
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article examines the work done in an innovative Finnish program that used a nursing home as a shelter for victims of elder abuse, a telephone hotline, and a victim support group.
Abstract
Under the program, which operated for nearly 2 years (1992- 93), elder abuse was defined as "violence against the elderly in domestic settings." It included physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, and neglect. The objectives of the study were to obtain knowledge about the nature of the abuse of the elderly and about the victims' earlier attempts to find help; examine the coping strategies of the abuse victims; review the methods of help and support; and assess the functions of nursing home care in caring for victims of elder abuse. Services provided to the elder abuse victims included a shelter at a nursing home, telephone assistance, and a support group. Over the span of the project, 31 women and 5 men used the nursing home as a shelter. The most common type of abuse was psychological abuse, followed by physical abuse, financial abuse, and neglect. The assessment of this pilot program concluded that the nursing home can be used as a shelter, especially for elderly persons with poor health and functional disabilities, as well as for the elderly who need medical attention or nursing assistance. Nursing home services also offer rest and security. The nursing home can provide crisis services that are flexible and easy to access in situations when victims need help quickly and around-the-clock without requiring referrals, documents, or phone calls prior to admission. The nursing home must create these services in cooperation with other professionals in the community open care system, and nursing home staff require special training in dealing with domestic violence. 3 references