Description
In Romania, the growing number of elders became a challenge, and one of the emerged issues is the elderly abuse. This issue is ignored by authorities and there is a low awareness among professionals and in general, in society. Also, there is a lack of services for abused elders. The objective is to facilitate the access to the social and basic services for the abused elders. The project will promote the access to psychological, social, psychiatric, juridical and medical services for 100 abused elders, and the development of identification and referral abilities for 160 medical personnel; and, finally, the sensitization of the community on the elderly abuse issue. These challenges will be addressed by implementing an innovative multidisciplinary service for abused elderly, by delivering a training program for the medical professionals and, by setting up an information and awareness campaign. The project will benefit abused elders, their families and medical professionals.
Summary of project results
The project facilitated the access to fundamental social services for elderly exposed to abuse. Elder people that were hospitalised in „Dr. C. I. Parhon” Clinic Hospital during the implementation period were involved in the project. A screening instrument (Elder Abuse Suspicion Index - EASI) was translated and adapted into Romanian. EASI was applied to 452 elderly people, which were involved in screening for the identification of potential abuse. 152 elders benefited from initial psychological assessment and 102 elders accepted to receive complementary services of multidisciplinary approach regarding abuse. In the framework of the project, accreditation for the professional training programme „Elder abuse – from identification to intervention” was obtained. The training programme targeted physicians and nurses in Iasi County and the courses were attended by a total of 113 physicians from Iasi and Braila Counties and 80 nurses from Iasi County. An information and awareness campaign – “A dignified life for everyone. We refuse elder abuse” – was organised and a scientific article „Open Dialogue in Romania in Multidisciplinary Services for Hospitalized Abused Elderly” was published.
Summary of bilateral results