Elder abuse within St. Vincent De Paul

Abstract

There is a growing concern about the subject of elder abuse within institutions. However, there is little empirical evidence of this since research is limited. This study is aimed at investigating whether any abuses related to negligent behaviour or to an abusive use of restraining methods exists, within St.Vincent de Paul, a government run institution. Twenty two subjects were chosen for the study after having been subject to the exclusion and inclusion criteria which were based on length of residency and the absence of mental or language impairment. Subjects were interviewed with a set of questions relating to the various aspects of negligence and the use of restraining methods. They were also asked questions relating to their perception of these two types of abuse. Respondents were given the liberty to answer the questions in as ;much length and as indepth as they liked. From the answers obtained it was clearly shown that the majority of respondents did not feel treated abusively. However a small number did highlight episodes of negligent behaviour. To conclude it must be said that there are no indications that restraint is used abusively in this institution, however rare cases of negligent behaviour do occur.