Page 128 - Human Rights

Faculty of Nursing
Adult care Nursing Department

These factors can increase vulnerability to violence, abuse, and neglect, particularly when older

people rely heavily on family members, caregivers, or institutional support for their daily needs.

Health and social care professionals are increasingly reporting higher levels of abuse against

elderly patients.

This abuse may be physical, such as hitting, pushing, or improper use of restraints; psychological,

including threats, humiliation, or isolation; or economic, such as theft, fraud, or coercion in

financial matters. Neglect is also a serious and common form of ill-treatment and may involve

failure to provide adequate food, hydration, hygiene, medication, or medical care.

Community and primary care nurses are often the first professionals to witness the effects of

violence and neglect.

Through regular home visits and long-term relationships with older patients, nurses are well
placed to identify subtle warning signs that may otherwise go unnoticed.

These signs can include unexplained injuries, repeated hospital admissions, sudden weight loss,

poor living conditions, changes in mood or behavior, fear of certain individuals, and withdrawal

from social contact.

In addition to identifying abuse, nurses play a vital role in responding to its consequences.

Elderly victims of violence often experience long-term physical injuries, chronic pain, anxiety,

depression, loss of self-esteem, and a deep sense of powerlessness.

Nurses provide not only clinical care but also emotional support, reassurance, and guidance,
helping older patients regain a sense of safety and dignity.

4.4.2 Violence in Institutions

117 Academic Year 2025/2026