Geriatric forensics - Part 2 "Prevalence of elder abuse and their potential forensic markers among medical and dental patients"

Abstract

Context:This study is a continuation of the earlier studies and has been extended to investigate the potential forensic markers of elder abuse.Aims:To determine the prevalence of elder abuse in various outpatient departments (OPDs). To study the associated parameters related to the abuser and the abused. To determine the existence of potential forensic markers of elder abuse.Settings and Design:The subjects were randomly selected from the medical and the dental OPDs of the university.Materials and Methods:Eight hundred and thirty two elderly subjects in the age range 40-60 years were interviewed using a questionnaire to determine the existence of elder abuse. The subjects were investigated and examined for weight, nutrition and hydration, vital signs, habits, existing visual and auditory capabilities, medications, disclosure of wills/deeds, signs of depression, and documented cleanliness. The mini-mental state examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Clock drawing test, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were used to determine the potential forensic markers.Statistical Analysis Used:Mean values in percentage were determined by dividing the number of determined subjects by the total number of subjects for that parameter.Results:About 37% in medical and 41% in dental OPDs were found to have suffered from abuse, mostly in the age group 60-70 years. Females received more abuse and a combination of son and daughter-in-law constituted most abusers. Various potential markers of elder abuse and neglect investigated among the elder abuse victims included depression (89%), signs of improper feeding (83%), changes in personal hygiene (69%), need for medical/dental treatment (78%), medication misuse (67%), changes in wills/deeds (26%), decubiti (10%), bruises (17%), skin tears (27%), and confusion (23%).Conclusions:Elder abuse exists in one or more forms in both medical and dental OPDs among both males and females in all age groups.

Predictors of potentially harmful behaviour by family caregivers towards patients treated for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in Japan

“…Alternatively, they may suppress their negative feelings in front of the patient, whereas blood relatives may unreservedly express their emotions. In contrast to our findings, Mattoo et al . reported that the incidence of abusive behaviour by daughters‐in‐law in India was about the same as that for sons.…”

Göz Ardı Edilen Bir Durum: Yaşlı istismarı ve etkileyen faktörler

“…Yapılan çalışmalarda da istismar ile cinsiyet arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu bulunmuştur 15,18 . Kadın olmak, her yaş döneminde olduğu gibi yaşlılıkta da ihmal ve istismar açısından önemli bir risk faktörüdür 13,15,[32][33][34] . Özellikle düşük eğitim düzeyine sahip, yalnız ve kırsalda yaşayan kadınların istismara maruz kalma ihtimalinin daha yüksek olduğu bildirilmiştir 20 .…”

Impact of Sensitization of Family Caregivers upon Treatment Compliance among Geriatric Patients Suffering from Elder Abuse and Neglect

“…EA in any of its forms has been shown to impact the victims’ quality of life, and health (medical complications) [ 13 ], and even considered as a serious risk of mortality in medical forensics [ 14 ]. Psychological stress inflicted by EAN has been strongly associated with the development of depression [ 15 ] in elderly subjects.…”