|
|
Health and Social Impacts of Violence against Seniors and its Prevention
OLTOVÁ, Dagmar
This thesis deals with the health and social impacts of violence against elderly persons and the ways of its prevention. The objective of the practical part of the thesis was to map the health and social impacts and prevention of violence against seniors from the perspective of social workers. A secondary objective was to describe the experience of social workers with the consequences of violence against seniors. Another sub-objective was to obtain suggestions and recommendations of social workers regarding the prevention of violence against the elderly. On the basis of the objectives of the thesis, four research questions were determined: What are the health and social impacts of violence against seniors from the perspective of social workers? What are the experiences of social workers with the consequences of violence against seniors? What is the subjective view of social workers on the prevention of violence against seniors? What suggestions and recommendations the social workers offer to prevent violence against seniors? Qualitative approach, method of interview and technique of semi-structured interview were chosen with regard to the chosen theme. The research group consisted of six respondents. The collected data were processed by the method of clustering. Based on the research questions, the results were divided into four categories. From the perspective of the respondents, violence against seniors is a current but hidden problem. Work with victims requires the cooperation of workers from the health and social sectors. The respondents associate health consequences with the impacts on the psyche of seniors. According to the respondents, physical violence is not typical, but rather financial abuse and emotional pressure, which is why psychological consequences are the most common and the most serious. The answers even mentioned death of an elderly person, injuries, fractures and bruises. Respondents associate social impacts with social isolation, loss of financial means, change of permanent address and change of social status. The most frequent and most serious impacts, according to respondents, are social isolation and loss of financial means. Within their profession, five respondents encountered cases of violence against the elderly. The impacts of violence were diverse fractures, bruises, adapting to the situation, unsecured basic needs, accusations regarding the way of upbringing, loss of financial means, social isolation and hospitalization of an immobile woman. According to these five respondents, prevention of violence against seniors is insufficient. Non-profit organizations, organizations providing social services for the elderly and workers in helping professions should be more engaged in prevention. Also public should be informed better. According to the workers, public awareness of the problem is insufficient because violence against seniors is little talked about. However, two respondents believe that public awareness is sufficient. Prevention includes training of workers in helping professions. Four respondents do not have any experience with training in the area of prevention of violence against seniors. For a timely resolution of a victim's situation, the availability of services for victims of violence against seniors is crucial. All respondents agreed that the availability of services in the Region of South Bohemia is sufficient. The problem is in the low awareness of seniors about these specific services. At the conclusion of the research, I was interested in specific suggestions and recommendations of the respondents to prevent violence against the elderly. Respondents think that prevention needs to be improved. According to respondents, the prevention of violence against seniors could be enhanced by better coverage in the media, lectures and discussions provided by the police, training of workers, informing seniors and educating by social workers and doctors.
|
guest ::
