Beyond awareness: Making elder abuse prevention work

At age 74, Mrs Adeleke believed her retirement savings would support her throughout her later years. Her husband had died in a road traffic accident 25 years earlier, and she took care of the children till they became self-sufficient. She and her husband had always planned to grow old and not be a burden (financial or otherwise) on the children. However, after entrusting a relative who was an investment consultant with managing her finances, she discovered that a significant portion of her savings had been withdrawn without her consent. The financial loss left her unable to meet basic needs and caused severe emotional distress. She became withdrawn, stopped attending community activities, and developed symptoms of depression. Such behaviour resulted in other health complications and worsened her health. She stopped going for her regular medical checkups until she suffered a stroke and was admitted in hospital.

An 82-year-old widower, Mr Bilal, relied on a family caregiver after suffering mobility challenges. His children placed the family caregiver on a comfortable salary to take good care of him and assist him around the house. Over time, the caregiver began using threats, insults, and intimidation to control his daily activities. His other family members noticed that he had become unusually quiet and fearful. The family sent both of them away to the village for a weekend and used the opportunity to secretly install cameras around the house. What they saw and heard over the next few days shocked them to the marrow. They arrested the family caregiver and made alternative arrangements.

Mrs Akpan is an 88-year-old woman living with early-stage dementia. Her children are living abroad, and she lived alone until last year, when she was admitted to a residential care facility, where the GP that reviews the residents periodically identified signs of neglect after a few months in the facility. She had been missing her medications, poor nutrition, and limited social engagement, which contributed to worsening cognitive symptoms and increased confusion. Following comprehensive audit investigations, care standards were improved, staff received additional training, and regular monitoring systems were introduced. Her physical and emotional well-being subsequently improved, highlighting the importance of accountability and quality care systems.

ALSO READ: Insecurity may persist if LGAs remain weak — Senator Karimi

Discussion

The global life expectancy as of 2025 is 73.5 years, and it is projected to reach 77 years by 2050. According to the World Health Organization (2024), the global population of people aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 2 billion by 2050. Elder abuse is one of the most underreported and pervasive forms of human rights violations globally. The World Health Organization (2024) reported that about 1 in 6 older adults experienced some form of abuse in community settings in 2023.

Elder abuse can have serious physical, mental, financial and social consequences. Consequences can be severe and include physical injuries, premature mortality, depression, cognitive decline, and financial devastation. Due to the already challenging health status many elders are in, recovery may take longer and can even lead to death.

Research reports that elder abuse is strongly linked to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, social withdrawal, sleep disorders, and increased risk of suicide. Victims often suffer in silence due to fear, shame, dependence on caregivers, or concerns about family relationships. Elders who experience abuse often lose their sense of security and self-worth. Isolation, loneliness, and cognitive decline can further increase vulnerability. In many cases, abuse remains hidden until serious physical or psychological harm occurs.

Dementia and cognitive impairment are major risk factors since they can impair a person’s ability to recognize, remember, or report what’s happening while also increasing the burden on caregivers. Depression, social isolation, and physical dependency on one person for daily care raise vulnerability too. The mental health of the caregiver is a commonly cited factor that increases the likelihood of abuse occurring, especially in family caregiving arrangements rather than institutional ones. Caregiver burnout, untreated depression, substance use, or financial dependency on the older adult increases the chances of abuse.

Warning signs include unexplained injuries or a pattern of injuries inconsistent with the explanation given, sudden changes to financial accounts or estate documents, withdrawal from friends or activities, fearfulness specifically around one caregiver, untreated medical conditions, poor hygiene or unsafe living conditions, and depression-like symptoms that emerge or worsen after a change in caregiving arrangement.

Beyond awareness, what can we do?

Several strategies include:

●     Strengthening legal protection for older adults.

●     Expanding access to mental health services tailored to ageing populations.

● Training healthcare workers, caregivers, financial institutions, and community leaders to recognize warning signs.

●     Establishing confidential reporting systems.

●     Promoting age-friendly communities that reduces isolation and social exclusion.

● Supporting family caregivers through education and respite services.

● Improving oversight of long-term care facilities.

●     Never trust any system in place, without providing oversight and monitoring.

●     Physical activity: Maintaining mild physical activity (even if done alone) and having a single, trusted friend as a confidant can act as powerful buffers, significantly lowering depressive symptoms in abuse survivors.