Older people often trivialize acts of abuse they suffer

The elderly face maltreatment often trivialize these actions and still does not dare complain, according to a study by the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees).

It suffered some seniors ...

Sociologists who wrote this report have studied forty cases of complaints to the General Directorate of Social Action (DGAS), with for most of the people living in institutions.

They also conducted interviews with elderly people who have suffered abuse without choose to complain.

This study did not aim to quantify the abuse but to qualify for.

Sociologists and explain what types of acts are suffered by the elderly, often dependent. It is thus the physical or verbal abuse, theft and scams, malnutrition or inattention to the sffering of the person.

In institutions further abuse is observed. They are related to poor hygiene, confinement, threats of retaliation and incompetence of the staff.

Sociologists point out that some acts can be seen as an abuse by the elderly and yet seem innocuous to the author, such as a caregiver.

They speak of "brutality in gestures", "humiliating or degrading lyrics", "lack of discretion in the management of small items or incontinence as well as the feeling of inferiority and humiliation raises the poor hygiene or respect. "

Older people complain little abuse

Such acts product "a sense of abandonment," "sign of the lack of social integration experienced by older respondents." This gives people "a sense of being subject to the whims of professionals."

Thus, the elderly are not very likely to expose themselves to the authorities or a combination of the abuse they sometimes complain to their loved ones.

Some are in denial of the abuse suffered and commonplace. "These victims self-depreciating as old and sick" and accept it as a normal fact their "infantilism".

If they see the abuse on others, they can even "take up the cause for caregivers fear of being ill-treated customers and also become victims of their nervousness," the study notes.

Others accept the abnormal acts incurred but think is strong enough to defend themselves or, on the contrary, consider the lost cause.

This withdrawal is expressed by this 82 year old woman placed against his will in a nursing home: "I dislike it here," she said.

Elderly people withdraw into themselves and communicate their concerns to anyone, including their families. They then confined to "sighs, embarrassed laughter, silence, tears without words."

The complaints are not taken into account

Moreover, among the small number of elderly who dare complain, few can be heard.

Written complaints sent directly by the elderly rarely follow through with an investigation. "The abuse is often not recognized because the facts mentioned are not considered serious enough or the victim is suspected of being delusional," the report said.

To make a credible complaint, we must, in most cases, it is made by an external guarantor. This can be a family member or a health professional outside the establishment.

"The quality and reliable witness seems to take precedence over that of the victim." These are then "perceived by recipients as complaints can not speak and testify to the harm suffered."

An administrative investigation is launched when are systematically reported to bodily integrity.

But it is more difficult to track complaints of violations of dignity or autonomy, as hurtful words or molestation, say sociologists.