Problem Facing Old People
INTRODUCTION
The Challenge of Elder Abuse in the Health Sector
Elder abuse refers to the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care. This is a global problem that is likely to intensify in view of the increasing number of older people and the changing socio-economic and environmental conditions worldwide (Randel et al. 1999). Throughout the experience of HAI, access to health care has always been of major Concern to elderly. Help Age International has strongly emphasized: “Access to Health services are not a benevolent act but are a basic human right for any human being regardless of age”. Earlier evidence adduced that the attitude and behavior of some health workers towards older people was negative. Elderly respondents taking part in focus group discussions reported that public health providers utter discouraging remarks, for example: “Wewe si mgonjwa, shida yako ni uzee”, translated into English as: “You are not sick, your problem is old age” (Ochola et al. 2000: 55). Viable intervention strategies, we opine, must have basis on multi-sectorial approaches with primary focus on attitudes and the community.
Research Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyses views of older people and health workers on indicators, context, causes and interventions in elder abuse in primary health care in Kenya. This study is aimed at helping one understand the dynamics of abuse of older persons’ rights within the primary health care system in Kenya. The report is thus largely a collection of ‘voices’ on elder abuse. The issues raised by these voices require further investigation to enrich the empirical evidence on elder abuse.
Objective
The objective of the study was to gather empirical evidence of elder abuse within the healthcare system so as to use the information in formulating appropriate strategies for intervention. It is part of a broader strategy to intervene in the major rights issues of concern to older
The Challenge of Elder Abuse in the Health Sector
Elder abuse refers to the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care. This is a global problem that is likely to intensify in view of the increasing number of older people and the changing socio-economic and environmental conditions worldwide (Randel et al. 1999). Throughout the experience of HAI, access to health care has always been of major Concern to elderly. Help Age International has strongly emphasized: “Access to Health services are not a benevolent act but are a basic human right for any human being regardless of age”. Earlier evidence adduced that the attitude and behavior of some health workers towards older people was negative. Elderly respondents taking part in focus group discussions reported that public health providers utter discouraging remarks, for example: “Wewe si mgonjwa, shida yako ni uzee”, translated into English as: “You are not sick, your problem is old age” (Ochola et al. 2000: 55). Viable intervention strategies, we opine, must have basis on multi-sectorial approaches with primary focus on attitudes and the community.
Research Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyses views of older people and health workers on indicators, context, causes and interventions in elder abuse in primary health care in Kenya. This study is aimed at helping one understand the dynamics of abuse of older persons’ rights within the primary health care system in Kenya. The report is thus largely a collection of ‘voices’ on elder abuse. The issues raised by these voices require further investigation to enrich the empirical evidence on elder abuse.
Objective
The objective of the study was to gather empirical evidence of elder abuse within the healthcare system so as to use the information in formulating appropriate strategies for intervention. It is part of a broader strategy to intervene in the major rights issues of concern to older