1. Elder Abuse as a Challenge in Social Services – Supporting older women
Sirkka Perttu
MSc, Health Care; RN
Tartu 29 August 2017
WLF

2. Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

3. Why older women do not leave – Cohort effects
A certain generation of women: women born in who raised their children during the 1960s and 1970s
various kinds of attachments to their abusers: psychological/emotional, social or financial nature; eg. loss of a place that has been home for decades, fear of going into a nursing home as an alternative
T. Zink et.al 2003.
different values: First, olderwomen have been socialized with more traditional attitudes and values, particularly relating to gender roles, marriage, and family, divorce was a taboo, greater commitment to traditional religious values
socialized with a keen sense of privacy about family matters and a strong commitment to family loyalty and solidarity
Silvia M. Straka & Lyse Montminy Responding to the Needs of Older Women Experiencing Domestic Violence. Violence Against Women, Volume 12 Number 3, March 2006, p
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

4. Why older women do not leave – Cohort effects
Financial barriers may be even greater for older women than younger women
many did not work outside home when they were younger – low pension in retirement age
Education and independence were not encouraged for women
Lack the skills to seek and find employment
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

5. Why older women do not leave – Period effects
Changes in laws, policies and services over time
women’s rights, child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence were not discussed or even recognized
may be unable to realize that there are choices
Have no experience dealing with financial or legal matters
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

6. Why older women do not leave – Age effects
Older women are more likely than younger women to have health or functional problems that make them dependent on someone for care
this makes it more difficult for them to seek help or to leave
Some older women are receiving care from their abusive partners, others may be providing care
because of their strong care ethic, it can be extremely difficult for an older woman to leave a dependent, abusive husband
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

7. Why older women do not leave – Age effects
Social networks have been severely reduced by the death of their peers
the abusive spouse/adult child may be the only person left in such an older woman’s life
loneliness and the fear of loneliness - fear to lose the only relationship
If the abuser is own adult child – guilty that could not protect him/her in the childhood from abuse/the result of my upbringing
Resources may not exist for the oldest of older women
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

8. Supporting older abused women
If abuse is suspected
Create a safe environment for discussion
Speak to the client and the caregiver/relative separately
Establish a trusting relationship
mutual respect
Using soft and non judgmental words helps the person ease up
Recommended is to use “I” statements instead of straight forward questions (e.g. ”have you been..) – ”According my experience many women are suffereing..”)
You can use your own perceptions why you ask
Best situation if asking is a routine working model, is not pointing way to ask
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

9. Supporting older abused women
Older women may be asked
How are things going at home/in residential care?
How are you spending your days?
How are you feeling about the amount of help you are getting at home/in residential care?
How do you feel your (husband/daughter/other caregiver) is managing?
Do you have everything you need to take care of yourself?
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

10. Supporting older abused women
Important with older women:
Do not mistake trauma reactions together with disabilities (e.g. hearing/vision impairment, aphasia) for senility
Be aware that older women may process information more slowly than younger adults and take longer to put their thoughts into words
provide sufficient time to respond
that is a normal age-related change and should not be viewed as evidence of lack of mental capacity
Some older victims may be reluctant to tell about the abuse or seek help because they fear losing their independence
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

11. Supporting older abused women
Older women needs:
Information on abuse and its consequences
Practical help and emotional support from workers in a wide range of agencies
housing, legal or financial support (e.g. benefits)
Support on a longer term basis
Effective co-ordination of different services (NGO:s, volunteers, social and health care services)
is often seriously lacking
Leaving abuser may not be an option
Taking care of safety issues/ risk minimization
Advice for emergency situations
Possibility to contact when needed
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

12. Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018
Empowerment approach
Based on the belief that victims of domestic violence should have access to information, education, and other necessary social and economic support
to make informed decisions that best reflect their interests and needs
placing power over decision-making in older people’s own hands - respect their decisions
a set of services that victims control
services that support victims coping with emotional, psychological, and physical trauma, restoring self-esteem, and building independence
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

13. Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018
Empowerment approach
goal of case management is generally to maintain the highest level of independence and autonomy possible
The principles underlying responses to elder abuse e.g. in Ireland are:
empowerment;
rights of the individual;
self-determination can involve risk;
‘least restrictive alternative’;
protection of the law;
access to judicial process.
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project

14. Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018
29/08/2017
Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project