Filipino elderlies' perception on abuse: Their safety status and treatment of social networks

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Elderly Filipinos have four important concerns: security in old age, health status, impact of aging, and elder abuse. Elder abuse committed in their homes or in their community is alarming. How their social networks (their family, friends, relatives, and significant others) treat them plays a crucial role in their well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions on elder abuse and the safety status of Filipino older persons along with the treatment afforded to them by their social networks. The study also determined such perception to be able to devise a cost effective, community-based interventions to address elder abuse.
Methodology: The study used mixed methods design and the Experience of Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) tool, a questionnaire along with the demographic profile of the participants. The results were tallied and analyzed using descriptive statistics. How social networks treat them and their safety status were explored using researcher-made open-ended questions analyzed using the qualitative approach.
Results and Conclusion: Findings revealed the perceptions of Filipino older persons on elder abuse, with participants from the 60-69 age group, predominantly female, with no work, and have low monthly income. The major themes generated from the qualitative findings were relationship issues with the self, environment, coping, abuses, and values. Several sub-themes were also discovered and were related to the findings. An awareness campaign on the issue of elder abuse in Philippine society was recommended. Educating social networks about the perils of abuse is crucial in maintaining the safety of older persons. A monitoring system must be developed at the barangay level and policies must be put in place to address the concerns of elder abuse.