12.5% of over 60's experience abuse in Wales
A new study by Public Health Wales has shown how abuse, struggling with finances and loneliness and social isolation in later life increase people’s risks of poor health
A new study by Public Health Wales, Bangor University and Liverpool John Moores University has shown how abuse, struggling with finances and loneliness and social isolation in later life increase people’s risks of poor health.
The study surveyed over a thousand adults aged 60 years and over living in households across Wales.
Since the age of 60:
· 12.5 per cent of participants had experienced abuse.
· 19.0 per cent of participants had struggled financially.
· 20.7 per cent of participants had felt lonely or socially isolated.
People that reported one of these experiences were also more likely to report other adverse experiences, which also included feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities and being unable to access health or social care.
For example, 42.6 per cent of those that had suffered abuse also reported having felt lonely or socially isolated compared with 17.6 per cent of those that had not suffered abuse.
The study measured ten poorer health outcomes. Abuse, struggling financially, loneliness and social isolation each independently increased people’s risks of most of these poorer health outcomes. For example:
Those that had suffered abuse were more than twice as likely as those who had not to smoke tobacco and over four times as likely to have had suicidal thoughts or have self-harmed.
Those that had struggled financially were over twice as likely as those who had not to have low life satisfaction and four times as likely to report self-neglect.
Those that had felt lonely or socially isolated were twice as likely as those who had not to have bad or very bad self-rated health, and more than four times as likely to have low mental well-being.
"Older people play an essential role in social and economic life in Wales..."
Professor Karen Hughes, lead author of the report, said “Older people play an essential role in social and economic life in Wales, and the importance of this role is increasing as our population ages. Our study shows that older people who suffer abuse, poverty and loneliness suffer worse health. Preventing these adverse experiences and supporting those affected by them is essential to enable older people to maintain health, live well and continue to actively engage in society.”
Abuse of older people is a growing concern in Wales, but it can often remain hidden according to Public Health Wales.
The most common types of abuse reported were verbal abuse (8.4%), physical abuse (4.6%) and financial abuse (2.9%).
Poverty and loneliness and social isolation are also recognised to be significant public health challenges in Wales, with wide-ranging impacts on the health and well-being of individuals, communities and wider societies.
Age Cymru says it's seen an increase in the number of older people seeking help...
and support because they are experiencing abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
The charity says the "impact of abuse can be devastating and it can have long lasting physical, emotional or financial consequences. When abuse is perpetrated by someone they know, and trust, it can leave them fearful, confused, and feeling even more lonely and isolated which impacts negatively on their mental health".
Louise Hughes, Age Cymru’s Head of Safeguarding and Advocacy said: “We know the number of older people being abused has doubled since the start of the pandemic. People can experience abuse in many forms, and, in some cases, it may have remained hidden over many years. Abuse of any kind is unacceptable and older people have a right to live in safety, without fear, control or intimidation, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
“This important report outlines the impact of loneliness and the additional risk factors this can have for older people across Wales. Each year we see an increase in the number of people coming to Age Cymru for support to combat loneliness and abuse. Situations we hear about are often complex and extremely challenging with multiple types of abuse happening at once."