Talk about violence against the elderly. We can prevent it
Fear, the feeling of their own failure and the fear that it could be worse. At least one senior at risk dials the Senior Line 800 200 007 every day because of abuse or neglect. On the occasion of the World Day against Violence against the Elderly, which falls on Tuesday 15 June, Elpida has decided to remind people of effective ways to prevent violence.
Usually a senior calls with a simple question. "In the conversation, we get into what situations they face in their lives. So we often get to the topic of neglect, bullying or violence during the call when the caller gains a sense of trust and security," says the manager Kateřina Bohatá, the head of the Senior Citizens' Line, adds that talking to a professional who knows how I feel helps me to realise how what is happening really affects me. People can turn to the Senior Citizens' Helpline as a preventive measure when they sense that they might be victims of violence but do not know what to do or have many other questions.
There is still a need to spread awareness about what happens and how violence against the elderly manifests itself. Public debate, raising the issue of family and interpersonal coexistence is effective. "Violence does not occur where there is comfort, mutual respect and esteem, where everyone has a piece of their own freedom and personal space. Violence does not occur where the senior still has a firm position and has retained a reasonable part of his or her decision-making powers," says Katerina Bohatá. On the contrary, seniors who significantly limit their social contacts and activities are at risk.
"I consider the support of caregivers to be very important. Long-term care for a loved one is extremely mentally and physically taxing. Sometimes there is only a thin line between an exchange of views and aggressive conflict," notes Katerina Bohatá, pointing out a number of situations where the caregiver gets into difficulties. Violence is often the result of a lack of self-control - the problem often arises where there is an overlooked lack of loveaddiction or where a behavioural illness develops. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide great relief. It is for carers that our experts have created the Carer's Ten Commandments.
The story of domestic violence
A man in his 80s calls to ask if we have a service to bring him medication. The worker discusses the options with him, offers to approach the care service, but it's not exactly a flexible one-off solution like this. The line worker asks how he has dealt with this before - would it be possible to ask a relative? The gentleman lives in a semi-detached house, his son and family live next door. However, it is not possible to ask the son or grandchildren for help. How? They would refuse, gradually the caller talks about the atmosphere in the semi-detached house. They are already afraid to ask anything, the son is very volatile and does not go far for swearing. He has even hit him several times. The last time they met in the garden and the caller asked his son if he could cut the apple trees, saying that he was not up to it anymore. The son attacked him and told him that he should get out of the garden and not go there if he did not want to take part in its care. The caller cries. He has built the whole semi-detached house with his own hands, he doesn't want to dodge, he doesn't want to give it up. His parents used to live in that one half, when he died he gave it to his son. He didn't know good relations could deteriorate so much. My daughter-in-law is as rude as a tile, it wasn't always like that, after maternity leave she started working somewhere and started smoking and drinking and her speech thickened too. It's very unpleasant to be in contact with them. The gentleman wonders aloud if he deserves such treatment. The senior helpline worker explains that this is a fairly common consideration that occurs to people in his situation. But it is not true. She gradually names the individual behaviors of her son and daughter-in-law as examples of domestic violence. They talk together about how hard it is to admit to something like this. The caller is happy to confide. They also discuss possible solutions. When would the police need to get involved, what would it look like, and what materials would need to be supplied. The caller is not at all ready for this yet, but now he knows he can talk to Linka senior about it. Together it is possible to plan the steps and think things through so that the situation can be addressed. However, the topic of medication delivery is important. The gentleman will try calling the GP to see if he can help. He will get back to you about how to manage the situation at home with his son.
For more model stories from the Senior Citizens Line click here.
The Seniors Line 800 200 007 is a free anonymous crisis line and helpline for seniors, caregivers and people in crisis. Hours of operation are 8am to 8pm every day, including weekends and holidays. The partner of the helpline is the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the O2 Foundation and the Prague City Hall.
Media contactIvetaČížová ~ iveta.cizova@elpida.cz ~ +420 773 480 505
Elpida means hope in Greek. But it is also the name of an organization that helps seniors become a confident and respected part of society. In the spirit of the motto Old's Cool, Elpida is changing the way people look at old age - it runs the Elpida Educational and Cultural Centre for seniors fromPrague and the Senior Crisis Line, founded the brand Socks from Grandma, publishes the magazine VITAL, and organises the intergenerational Old's Cool festival. In short, she is trying to make Czech seniors lead a full & happy life.