Elder Abuse

ELDER ABUSE IN THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN KENYA

A study carried out by HelpAge International – Africa Regional Development Centre and HelpAge Kenya with Support from: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)

September 2001

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Challenge Of Elder Abuse In The Health Sector 1.2 Research Purpose 1.3 Research Methodology 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 Preparatory Work Data Collection Data Processing And Analysis 1 2 2 2 2 4 4

1.4 Limitation

2. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 2.1 Objective 2.2 Findings 2.2.1 2.2.2 Role And Importance Of The Elderly In The Community Issues Of Elder Abuse Identified In The Research

5 5 5 5 8 16

2.3 Consequences Of Elder Abuse

3. INTERVENTIONS 3.1 Interventions Available 3.1.1 3.1.2 Interventions Within The Community Interventions Within Health Institutions

17 17 17 18 18 20

3.2 Interventions Recommended By Discussants 3.3 Recommended Interventions

REFERENCES

21

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT HelpAge International – Africa Regional Development Centre is immensely grateful to The World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Partnership Against Elder Abuse (INPEA) for the support that enabled the successful undertaking of the study. Special thanks go to the researchers and staff from HelpAge International – Africa Regional Development Centre and HelpAge Kenya for their sterling efforts in making the study a success. Last but in no way the least, HelpAge International is greatly indebted to the older persons who participated in the study and the staff of the health institutions that took part in the survey.

Tavengwa Nhongo Regional Representative - HelpAge International–Africa Regional Development Centre

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LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Categories of Elder Abuse --------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Table 2: Characteristics of Focus Group Discussions

References: Bennet, G. 2001. World Health Organization: Elder Abuse Study. Working Paper Draft. Ref.: Prof./GB/SC/0565. Daichman et al. Health Professionals Perception of and Responses to Elder Abuse. Latin American Committee for Prevention of Elder Abuse: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Frazier, B. H. and Hayes, K. C. 1991. Selected Resources on Elder Abuse: An Annotated Bibliography for Researchers and Educators. University of Maryland: USA Department of Agriculture. Hancock, G. 1995. Lords of Poverty. Reading: Cox and Wayman Ltd. HelpAge International n.d. United Nations Principles for Older Persons. HelpAge International. 2001. Addressing Violations of the Rights of Older Men and Women. Project Document. Levin, S. P. n.d. Focus Groups as a Tool for Assessing Perceptions on Elder Abuse among Older People and Primary Health Care workers. WHO. Ngugi, R. 1999. Health-Seeking Behaviour in the Reform Process for Rural Households: The Case of Mwea Division, Kirinyaga District, Kenya. Nairobi: African Economic Research Consortium. Ochola, S, Wagah, M. and Omalla, J. N. K. 2000. An Assessment of the Nutritional Status and Socio-Economic Contributions of the Elderly in Nairobi and Machakos Districts. Nairobi: HelpAge International – Africa Regional Development Centre. Randel, J., German, T. and Ewing, D. (Eds.). 1999. The Ageing and Development Report: Poverty, Independence and the World’s Older People. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd. Swanson, S. M. 1999. The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence. Ottawa: Health Canada, Ontario. White, L. 1990. The Comforts of Home: Prostitution in Colonial Nairobi. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.