There are an estimated 2.75 million older people in South Africa, a million of them over the age of 75. And far from living out their days with dignity and respect, many are seen as soft targets for abuse, exploitation and neglect.
Go Turquoise 4 the Elderly is a campaign of Project 21, a section of the To Care Foundation NPO to raise awareness of the plight of the elderly and ways to make the world better and safer for them.
Elder abuse can come from a caregiver in the victim’s own home or in an assisted living or nursing facility, but the most common perpetrators are family members. Elders with dementia or other forms of mental illness are particularly vulnerable, says Andries Pretorius, head of communication for Rata Social Services (a registered welfare organisation).
Take note of the signs, and if you suspect someone is a victim, whether they are a family member, neighbour or stranger, try talking to them privately. If they won’t respond, they may have been intimated or threatened. If you suspect they are in danger, or they tell you someone is hurting them, report it anonymously to the National Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 101110, or to the police station nearest where you live.
Signs of physical abuse:
- Unexplained or recurring bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, fractures or dislocations
- Broken spectacles, dentures, walkers, hearing aids
- Signs of being restrained (rope marks on wrists or ankles)
- Signs of over- or under-medication
- Hesitation to talk freely
- Caregivers reluctant to let you see the person without them being present
- Implausible or conflicting stories of how an injury occurred
Signs of emotional abuse:
- Indications of agitation or such as rocking, sucking or mumbling to themselves
- Signs of depression, disorientation, confusion
- Difficulty sleeping
- Unexplained changes of behaviour – loss of interest in things they enjoyed, withdrawal from activities
- Unusual angry or aggressive behaviour
- Signs or reports from others of threatening, belittling or controlling behaviour
Signs of sexual abuse:
- Bruises around the breasts, thighs or genitals
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn or stained clothing, especially undergarments
- STDs
Signs of financial abuse:
- Items or money missing from their home, cupboards, bags
- Changes in their financial situation: unpaid bills, utilities switched off, threats of eviction
- Irregular withdrawals from their accounts
- Addition of unauthorised users to their accounts, credit or debit cards
- Changes to, or the disappearance of, policies, will, power of attorney
- New “best friend” or “romantic admirer”
Signs of neglect:
- Unexplained loss of weight, dehydration (sunken eyes, dizziness, difficulty walking)
- Poor hygiene (left dirty and unwashed, unkempt hair, skin rashes)
- Soiled clothing or bedding, grubby surrounds
- Untreated injuries or bed sores
Also read: Handy home adjustments as you age
For more about Go Turquoise 4 the Elderly, click here.
Reliance on any information provided on this Website is solely at your own risk.
The content of this Website is provided as a service to you for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need medical advice, you should seek the advice of your healthcare professional.