Abuse in the elderly is a more recent phenomenon than other types of
abuse, as directed against women or children, both documented for a long time,
even if they are not recognized as social or health problem until a few decadesago.
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| Elderly Abuse |
This has to do, no doubt, with social changes and particularly with the
change of status of the elderly. Elderly enjoyed social recognition, respect
and power, and was the guarantee of transmission of knowledge and traditions in
a society where age-related experience was considered a value. Changes in the
social structure, in the family context, attitudes and values in our society,
are probably in the background of the problem. Youth, productivity, health,
individual achievement and power are raising stars; the old, unproductive and
often dependent, it is undervalued and is sometimes a burden, a nuisance to
nuclear families struggling to care for the elderly. Demographic and social
changes have not been accompanied by the necessary adaptation resources to
respond to new needs that have been created without longing for the past, but
looking to the future. At the origin of abuse we can find many causes, because not
only social factors are involved, but also cultural, individual and family
factors too. Read more>>>>>>>>>>
