Report of multiple abuse against older adults in three Brazilian cities

Elder abuse: a conceptual analysis

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the concept of elder abuse and identify its respective antecedents, attributes and consequents.

METHODS

this is a conceptual analysis according to Walker and Avant's proposition. The search for the concept was mediated by an integrative review in the LILACS, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and BDENF databases.

RESULTS

as antecedents, female, family member, low social support and low income or socioeconomic conditions stand out. Attributes were threats and/or intimidation, intentional use of physical force, using resources without authorization, unwanted sexual activity, offering low insufficient amount of nutrients for older adults and not meeting older adults' affective/emotional needs. Consequents were psychological disorders, dependence on aggressors, environment of insecurity and damage/loss of human rights or human dignity.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the phenomenon under discussion is broad and multifaceted, suggesting expansion of studies related to the theme in order to explore it in detail.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Life-Space Mobility of Older Adults Living in Brazil: REMOBILIZE Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic hit Brazil in a scenario of substantial socioeconomic and health inequalities. It is unknown the immediate impact of social restriction recommendations (i.e., lockdown, stay-at-home) on the life-space mobility of older people. Objective: To investigate the immediate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on life-space mobility of community-dwelling Brazilian older adults and examine the social determinants of health associated with change in life-space mobility. Design: Baseline data from a prospective cohort study (REMOBILIZE Study). Setting: Community. Subject: A convenience snowball sample of participants aged 60 and older (n = 1,482) living in 22 states in Brazil. Methods: We conducted an online and phone survey using an adapted version of the Life-Space Assessment (LSA). Linear regression models were used to investigate social determinants of health on the change in LSA score. Results: Regardless of their gender and social determinants of health, participants showed a significant reduction in life-space mobility since COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Life-space mobility reduction was higher among black individuals, those living alone and aged between 70 and 79. Other variables associated with change in life-space mobility, to a lesser extent, were sex, education and income. Conclusion: Social restriction measures due to pandemic caused substantial reduction in older adults' life-space mobility in Brazil. Social inequalities strongly affected vulnerable groups. Concerted actions should be put in place to overcome the deterioration in life-pace mobility amongst these groups. Failure in minimizing health inequalities amplified by the pandemic may jeopardize the desired achievements of the Decade of Healthy Aging.

Analysis of Repeated Violence Against Older Adults in a Brazilian State

Objective: To identify notified cases of repeated violence against older adults and its association with the characteristics of the victims, of the aggressor, and the aggression. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Health Problems on interpersonal repeated violence perpetrated against older adults between 2011 and 2018 in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The data were analyzed employing Poisson multiple regression with robust variance. Results: The frequency of repeated violence was 50.1 % (95 % CI: 47.7-52.6). Being 80 years old or more, presenting disabilities or disorders, and having suffered violence by partners and/or children were associated with this condition in both genders. In aged men, violence was more frequently perpetrated by two or more aggressors and during the day, whereas aged women were more frequently assaulted in urban areas. Conclusion: The high frequency of repeated violence and the associations with the characteristics studied reflect the need for care to older adults with disabilities or disorders and the possible signs of burden in family caregivers that may result in situations of violence. Actions aimed at early detection and adequate assistance to the victims and to the aggressors are important to avoid the chronicity of the condition.