Many elderly cannot express the violence they experience from their closest relatives!

Stating that violence against the elderly is not limited to physical assaults, Asst. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir from the Psychology Department said that many behaviors ranging from psychological pressure to economic exploitation, sexual abuse to neglect, should be considered as elderly abuse. Dr. Demir stated that a large portion of the elderly cannot express the violence they are subjected to due to fear of protecting their relatives, losing care, or helplessness, and said, "Every elderly person who is unheard, unseen, and neglected is a silent scream growing within society."

Asst. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir, Deputy Dean of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and from the Psychology Department, addressed the issue of elderly abuse.

Elderly abuse is not just an assault directed at the body

Asst. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that when violence against elderly individuals is mentioned in society, physical assaults usually come to mind, but in reality, abuse covers a much broader area.

"When violence against elderly individuals is mentioned, most of us think of physical behaviors such as hitting, pushing, or assaulting," said Dr. Demir, continuing her words as follows:

"However, elderly abuse may not just be an overt assault directed at the body. Any behavior that frightens, humiliates, disregards an elderly person's decisions, uses their money or property without permission, neglects their care, or abandons them to loneliness is elderly abuse. Yelling at an elderly person, constantly criticizing them, pushing them out of life, and any behavior that harms human dignity is violence. Yelling at an elderly person, constantly criticizing them, pushing them out of life, and any behavior that harms human dignity is violence."

One of the gravest aspects of violence is silence

Dr. Demir pointed out that the true extent of violence against the elderly in Turkey is not fully known, stating, "It is not easy to state the true extent of violence against the elderly in Turkey. Because a significant portion of this violence occurs within homes, behind closed doors, behind a thick curtain called family privacy, or in institutions. Many elderly hesitate to speak out about the abuse they experience."

Dr. Demir emphasized that elderly individuals often remain silent because the abuser is a close relative, saying, "Sometimes the abuser is their own child, spouse, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, or caregiver. The elderly individual may remain silent, thinking 'I don't want my child to get hurt,' 'They will stop caring for me,' 'I have nowhere to go,' 'No one will believe me.' Sometimes they cannot even name what they are experiencing as violence. This is why one of the gravest aspects of elderly abuse is silence. Unfortunately, this silence is not only the individual's but also society's complicit silence."

Psychological and economic violence often go unnoticed

Dr. Demir stated that physical violence is more easily noticed with symptoms such as bruises, fractures, or unexplained injuries, saying, "Bruises, fractures, histories of falls, unexplained injuries attract attention. However, psychological and economic violence progress more insidiously. Constantly being scolded, humiliated, threatened, not being spoken to, or being cut off from one's social circle is psychological violence. Seizing an elderly person's salary, conducting banking transactions without their consent, forcing them to transfer their property, or using their money for one's own needs is economic abuse. Economic violence does not only cause financial loss; it also deprives the elderly person of their independence, sense of security, and feeling of connection to the future."

Sexual abuse in elderly individuals should not be overlooked

Dr. Demir stated that one of the most overlooked issues in society is sexual abuse in elderly individuals, saying, "Sexual abuse in elderly individuals is often a severe form of violence that is ignored, not talked about, and treated as if it doesn't exist. The common societal belief 'Elderly individuals are not sexually abused' is a great misconception. Although the rates may appear low globally, sexual abuse is one of the least reported types of violence. This risk is higher, especially in elderly individuals who are dependent on care, have dementia, have difficulty communicating, or are dependent on a caregiver. For example, individuals with dementia may struggle to describe what they have experienced, fear they won't be believed, or be unable to discern what is wrong."

 Neglect should not be considered a natural consequence of old age

Dr. Demir stated that one of the most important reasons making elderly abuse invisible is that many symptoms are evaluated as a natural process of old age, and continued as follows:

"Leaving an elderly individual in a dirty environment for a long time, not providing adequate nutrition, not administering their medication, or not ensuring their treatment is an indicator of neglect. These cannot be dismissed as 'it happens in old age.' Poor care in old age can become a life-threatening situation. Abandoning an elderly person to bed, loneliness, dirty sheets, hunger, or silence is unacceptable. Falls, bruises, weight loss, withdrawal, forgetfulness, fear, restlessness, lack of care, or recurrent health problems are sometimes evaluated as merely natural consequences of old age. However, behind these symptoms could be neglect, psychological pressure, economic abuse, or lack of care. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals can also fall into this misconception from time to time. When symptoms are not read correctly, questions are not asked, and the elderly person's voice is not truly heard, intervention is delayed."

Also drew attention to self-neglect

Dr. Demir stated that an elderly individual's inability or refusal to meet their own basic needs also poses a significant risk, saying, "Another important issue that needs to be addressed is self-neglect. Self-neglect refers to the situation where an elderly individual cannot maintain or refuses their own basic needs such as nutrition, hygiene, medication use, health check-ups, safe living space, or fundamental care. Self-neglect should not be ignored by calling it the individual's 'own choice'; it should be understood why the elderly person cannot maintain their care, and support mechanisms should be rapidly put into place."  

No justification excuses violence

Dr. Demir stated that caregiver burnout should not be ignored, saying, "The burden of care falling on a single person within the family, economic problems, family conflicts, the caregiver's mental exhaustion, and insufficient social support can pave the way for neglect and abuse. However, no justification excuses violence. Providing care can be exhausting, but fatigue is not an excuse for yelling, humiliating, neglecting, or punishing. Caregivers also need support. Because an exhausted caregiver can unintentionally harm both themselves and the person they are caring for. Therefore, elder care should not be left solely on the shoulders of the family. Families should be supported, care should be shared, and professional help should be sought when necessary."

We must create age-friendly societies

Dr. Demir stated that elder neglect and abuse are important indicators of societies' level of development, and concluded her words by saying, "Neglect and abuse are an important mirror reflecting a society's development, the sensitivity of its healthcare system, and the strength of its social policies. Society, families, caregivers, and elderly individuals need to be made aware of neglect and abuse. Because often, an elderly individual may not realize that the behavior they are subjected to is abuse, and families may also not realize that some attitudes are considered violence. It is important for elderly individuals to know where to turn and how to get support in such a situation. Age-friendly societies must be created so that the elderly can live a safe and dignified life.  Every elderly person who is unheard, unseen, and neglected is a silent scream growing within society."