Helping to safeguard the rights and dignity of older adults
On June 15th, individuals and organisations around the world come together to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This significant event serves to highlight and raise awareness about the alarming and pervasive issue of elder abuse.
The abuse of older people, also known as elder abuse, can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and neglect, with many older adults experiencing some form of abuse at different stages of their lives. These forms of abuse can severely impact the wellbeing and dignity of older individuals, making it a critical concern that needs to be addressed.
As a supplier of care software, we believe it is vital to raise awareness of one of the most urgent challenges in the social care sector: the systemic abuse of older individuals within various care settings. Raising awareness and being able to spot the signs of abuse can help create safer environments where older adults feel secure, respected, and valued.
The most common abusive behaviours
According to an article by the Office for National Statistics (released in 2023), there is minimal data on the prevalence of victimisation and abuse in care home settings because of the high proportion of residents who do not have capacity for consent or participation in a complex survey. Published studies that have reported on the prevalence of abuse have relied on care home staff perceptions.
A study conducted by University College London found neglect to be the most prevalent form of abuse witnessed by staff in care homes across England. Neglect includes ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs and failing to provide access to appropriate care and support.
The most common abusive behaviours witnessed were:
- Making a resident wait for care (reported by 26% of staff surveyed)
- Avoiding a resident with behaviour that challenges (25%)
- Giving residents insufficient time for food (19%)
- Taking insufficient care when moving residents (11%)
The prevalence of witnessed verbal (5%) and physical abuse (1%) were much lower in comparison with neglect.
The article goes on to explain that these prevalence figures relate to the care home unit rather than individual residents and, therefore, are not comparable with data from victimisation surveys, such as the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). These figures are also likely to be underestimated as care staff may not observe all abuse taking place and may not always be willing to report it.
This reality underscores the need for education, prevention strategies, and support systems to protect vulnerable older adults.
At Person Centred Software, we offer care staff a range of training courses dedicated to safeguarding and protection.
These courses, a few being Safeguarding and Protection of Adults, Adult Support and Protection Scotland, Safeguarding Wales and Safeguarding Advanced, thoroughly address all forms of abuse that may affect vulnerable adults, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse.
Participants will gain in-depth knowledge about the signs and symptoms of each type of abuse, allowing them to identify potential risks and concerns. This training underscores the importance of early detection and intervention, empowering care staff with practical skills to report incidents accurately and efficiently.
By completing these vital courses, care staff will be well-equipped to facilitate a safe environment for those they care for and support while championing their rights and dignity.
Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals
Better training, better care