Abuse of dependent elderly people

Abstract

Introduction: The abuse toward the elderly people is a health problem that, although it has been studied with certain frequency, does not receive sufficient attention. This is because both approach and prevention of this problem are complex, as old people rarely report abuse; the fear to reprisals makes it difficult for them to freely express their situation.Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with abuse of dependent elderly people in the community.Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in medical clinics 1, 2 and 3 of the Carlos J. Finlay health area, between January 2020 and December 2022.The sample included people aged 60 years or older with functional dependency. Variables such as age, sex, degree of dependency, abuse and their modalities, caregiver overload, and perceptions of the family relationships To summarize the variables, central tendency measures were used (I average, fashion, median) and percentages.Results: 63.4% of the sample presented abuse, with neglect (57.7%) and psychological abuse (30.8%) predominating. 66.66% of patients with moderate dependence and 84.2% of those with severe dependence were victims of abuse. Caregiver overload was present in 88.46% of the abused elderly, and 100% of them maintained dysfunctional family relationships.Conclusions: A significant group of dependent patients in the community suffer abuse. The main risk factors are moderate and severe dependency, caregiver overload, and the dysfunctional family relationships.