Disrespect and Isolation: Elder Abuse in Chinese Communities

2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Tam ◽  
Sheila Neysmith
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Racial Minority ◽  
Specific Form ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Chinese Canadians ◽  
Elderly Chinese ◽  
Home Care Workers

ABSTRACTBased on a qualitative study of home care workers, this paper aims to understand elder abuse of Chinese Canadians. The findings show disrespect is the key form elder abuse takes in the Chinese community. As a culturally specific form of abuse, disrespect remains invisible under categories of elder abuse derived from a Western cultural perspective. Applying a social exclusion framework to understand the dynamic of elder abuse, we argue that as a marginalized racial minority immigrant, an elderly Chinese person's vulnerability to abuse is increased under conditions of social isolation.

Personal home care workers’ role in hospital: a qualitative study

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat Ayalon ◽  
Sara Halevy-Levin ◽  
Zvi Ben-Yizhak ◽  
Gideon Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Home Care Workers

Abuse is in the eyes of the beholder: using multiple perspectives to evaluate elder mistreatment under round-the-clock foreign home carers in Israel

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
LIAT AYALON
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Home Care Workers

ABSTRACTThe overall goal of the study reported in this paper was to examine differences in the perceived occurrence of abuse and neglect as between older care recipients, their family carers, and foreign home-care workers in Israel. Overall, 148 matched family members and foreign home-care workers and 75 care recipients completed a survey of abuse and neglect. Significant discrepancies in their reports of neglect were found, with the foreign home-care workers more likely to identify neglect (66%) than the older adults (27.7%) or their family members (29.5%). Although the rates of reported abuse ranged between 16.4 and 20.7 per cent and the differences were not statistically significant, the different parties assigned the responsibility for the abuse to different perpetrators. The independent variables that significantly associated with abuse and neglect also varied by the three groups of participants. The findings suggest that even with round-the-clock home care, the basic needs of many older adults are not met, and that many experience substantial abuse. The study emphasises the subjective nature of abuse and neglect, and suggests that more education about what constitutes elder abuse and neglect may lead to more accurate and consistent reports across reporting sources. Incorporating data from the various stakeholders may enhance the early identification of elder abuse and neglect.

scholarly journals Recognition of elder abuse by home care workers and older people in Romania

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Caciula ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Rodica Caciula ◽  
Claudia Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Home Care Service ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Home Care Workers

ABSTRACTBackground: No previous studies have considered elder abuse in Eastern Europe. We aimed to determine the proportion of home care workers and older people receiving care in a Romanian home care service who correctly identified elder abuse in a vignette, and who had detected elder abuse at work.Methods: In 2009, care workers and clients of a non-government home care organization serving four areas in Romania completed the Caregiver Scenario Questionnaire to measure ability to identify abuse. We asked the professionals whether they had detected a case of abuse.Results: 35 (100%) professionals and 79 (65.8%) older people took part. Four (11.4%) professionals had encountered a case of elder abuse, two (5.7%) in the last year. No staff and only one older person correctly identified all four abusive strategies in a vignette. Staff with more professional caregiving experience recognized fewer abusive strategies (r = −0.46, p = 0.007).Conclusion: Rates of identification were worryingly low among all professionals, and this was more marked if they had worked longer, suggesting their experiences may have reduced their ability to detect it. Mandatory abuse training for care professionals, and strategies to support reporters of suspected abuse, could help improve the management of elder abuse in all countries.

scholarly journals Home care workers’ experiences of work conditions related to their occupational health: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunniva Grønoset Grasmo ◽  
Ingeborg Frostad Liaset ◽  
Skender Elez Redzovic
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
High Level ◽  
Home Care Workers ◽  
Policies And Practices

Abstract Background The need for home care workers (HCWs) is rapidly growing in Norway due to the increasingly growing elderly population. HCWs are exposed to a number of occupational hazards and physically demanding work tasks. Musculoskeletal disorders, stress, exhaustion, high sick leave rates and a high probability of being granted a disability pension are common challenges. This qualitative study explored the views of HCWs on how working conditions affect their safety, health, and wellbeing. Methods A descriptive and explorative design was utilised using semi-structured individual interviews with eight HCWs from three home care units in a middle-sized Norwegian city. Interviews were conducted in the Norwegian language, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed by systematic text condensation. Key data quotes were translated into English by the authors. Results HCWs reported that meaningful work-related interactions and relationships contributed to their improved wellbeing. Challenging interactions, such as verbal violence by consumers, were deemed stressful. The unpredictable work conditions HCWs encounter in users’ homes contributed to their exposure to environmental hazards and unhealthy physical workloads. This was the case, although the employer promoted ergonomic work practices such as ergonomic body mechanics when mobilising and handling of clients, using safe patient handling equipment. HCWs perceived high level of individual responsibility for complying with company safety policies and practices, representing a health barrier for some. Organisational frameworks created unhealthy work conditions by shift work, time pressure and staffing challenges. Performing tasks in accordance with HCWs professional skills and identity was perceived as health-promoting. Conclusions This study suggests that unpredictable working conditions at users’ home can adversely affect the safety, health, and wellbeing of HCWs. The interaction between the unpredictable environment at users’ homes, HCWs’ perceived high level of individual responsibility for complying with company safety policies and practices, and staffing challenges due to sickness-related absences upon the workplace creates tense work conditions with a negative influence on HCWs health.

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