The Abuse of Elderly People: A Handbook for Professionals. - book reviews

Age and Ageing,  July, 1993  by Colin Pritchard

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Jacki Pritchard

London: Jessica Kingsley. 1992 174 pp. Price 16.95[pound] (paperback)

This timely text is enhanced by Eric Sainsbury's foreword which itself merits attention. Abuse of the elderly has never been a popular concept, as since Shakespearean and Restoration times the impatient young would hurry-on those who obstruct their expected fortunes. Never before have so many elderly people been so long supported by their families, especially daughters. Therefore as Sainsbury comments |it is not surprising that for some carers, the feeling of being overwhelmed leads to a loss of patience'.

Jacki Pritchard's handbook reflects wide experience and sensitivity, and the training exercises, which comprise a third of the book, will be invaluable for all concerned with the care of elderly people.

There is a useful survey of 65 abuse case-studies with some interesting statistical data. But the author missed a great opportunity in failing fully to analyse her material. Whilst she notes that the majority of abusers are, unlike most carers, male, they also had a range of problems in their own right. For example, more than half were of working age, yet two-thirds were unemployed, and from a list of twenty-five of their difficulties, almost half were psychiatrically related. This suggests that abusers of the elderly are not the average carer supporting an elderly person, but vulnerable people who are likely to be known to the health and community services. Consequently, professionals working with disturbed adults should determine whether they have any involvement for elderly people. The parallel with child care is clear--we do not accept that anybody should have responsibility for defenseless youngsters, nor should we for vulnerable old people.

The book usefully raises our awareness of the erosion of commitment of the carer, and the normality of such feelings, which requires understanding and practical assistance. We must differentiate between the exasperated and guilt-laden, and the small minority who break down under stress.

Pritchard also offers further evidence, that despite the public |hype' surrounding the care of children, whenever the spotlight is turned on care of the elderly, we find even greater ethical dilemmas in the clash of rights, and more problematic psycho-socio-physiological issues.

COPYRIGHT 1993 Oxford University Press
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group