2Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Vocational School of Health, ISPARTA
3Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences,ISPARTA
4Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, ISPARTA Introduction: Determining the perception of the elderly who are at high risk of abuse in the community and identifying the existing abuse may be effective in creating the necessary awareness about elderly abuse. Therefore, this study aims to determine the elderly's perception of abuse.
Materials and Method: The study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional design. It focuses on the members of the population in Isparta who are 65 years or older. In determining this selection, the sample was determined at a 95% confidence level by simple random sampling technique. The study included 500 volunteers who had sound aural and verbal faculties and were fit enough to answer the survey questions. A questionnaire was created based on the relevant literature and was subsequently used to collect data.
Results: The questionnaire was presented to a total of 500 elderly citizens consisting of 297 women and 203 men. The results showed that 42.2% were in the age group of 65–69, and that 55.6% were married. We found that the majority of the elderly interpreted the physical acts in the statements as abuse and that they accepted economic abuse. The elderly held family members responsible for abuse. In cases where the perpetrator was a family member, they refrained from reporting them.
Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the elderly's awareness of abuse and neglect. The elderly, caregivers, and family members must participate in educational processes on aging and on the elderly. Research to detect and prevent abuse and the creation of national policies are also needed.
Keywords : Aged; Elder Abuse; Elder Neglect; Perception