Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, İzmir
İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü, İzmir Elderly abuse and neglect is on the rise mainly due to rapidly increasing elderly population, insufficient social security and support systems and deteriorating economy. This study investigated physical and financial abuse and neglect in an elderly population of age 65 and older, residing in Inönü Health Center region in Izmir. A cross-sectional study was conducted, 204 subjects were appropriately sampled from 359 elderly registered to the health center. All data was acquired through a face-to-face questionnaire. The physical and financial abuse was determined as reported by the elderly, the neglect was depicted by the interviewer on a scale through observations on personal and household hygiene. Sociodemographic and economical data and variables on health and household status were assessed as well.
98.6 % of the 204 subjects sampled were accessible. 61.2 % of the subjects were female, half was in the 65-69 years of age group, 75 % were illiterate and 23 elderly were living alone and 3 (1.5 %) were subject to physical, 5 (2.5 %) were subject to financial abuse . Findings ofneglect and probable neglect were found in 7 (3.5 %) and 58 (28.9 %) subjects, respectively. It was found that mean age was higher in elderly with probable neglect than those with no neglect and the relatives were found to be less responsive to the problems in the former group.
In conclusion, In a region of squatter housing where there was extensive emigration from the eastern part of the country in Izmir, low rates of physical and financial abuse and neglect were found. Preservation of the traditional family structure in this populations seems to be providing protection against elderly abuse and neglect. Keywords : Elderly, Physical abuse, Financial abuse, Neglect.