Definition: ‘A
single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or
distress to an older person’. This definition was established by Action on
Elder Abuse (UK) in 1993 and adopted by the World Health Organisation.
Such
abuse has, at its heart, an expectation of trust between two or more people.
This does not apply to strangers or other relationships where there is no
expectation of trust. Sometimes elder abuse
within the family can take place. It may not be
intentional and could arise because a person does not fully understand a
situation or finds difficulty in managing stressful problems. They might also
lack the skills required and need the support of external agencies to help
them. Moreover, elder abuse may occur as a result of non-acceptance of problems
which need to be addressed and this can take many forms, for example denying
access to the right treatment at the right time.
In
many countries, laws exist such as Mental Capacity Act (UK) which presume that
every adult has the right to make their own decisions and have the capacity to
do so. If, for any reason, it is felt that a person is not being allowed
this right, this concern can be raised with family members or contact can be
made with the national authority responsible for social welfare who will be
able to provide helpful advice and support.
The EPDA website contains the contact details
for European and International Parkinson’s organisations should
more information be required.
