The concept of vulnerability has been widely used to denote a condition in which the physical and mental well being required for a normal productive life is impaired and is at constant risk. . “Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility to negative events” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2006, p. 406). . The elderly abusive population is more vulnerable as they face multiple risks e.g. dysfunctional family lives, cultural issues, caregiver’s inadequacies factors and many more which make them have limited control, disenfranchisement, and disadvantaged status, powerlessness and health risks. One of the articles states that “Abused older people are a disenfranchised segment of society” (Bergeron, 2006, p. 82). .
There is a number of factors that predispose elders towards abuse e.g. dependency issues, family issues, financial issues, and institutional concerns. Cognitive and ADL impairment makes them have limited control and dependency on their caregiver or caregiver’s dependency on them which leads them to become abusive. The study shows that higher rates of physical abuse occur in older adults with dementia (Podnieks, 2008). In the article, .elder abuse and mistreatment, one of the caregiver’s, who is taking care of the client with dementia said,” you receive a blow, they hit you, pinch you, throw anything at you, then you just lose temper and then say something that you should not say”.(Buzgova & Ivanova, 2009). A number of situations .appear to put the elderly at risk. In some cases, strained family relationships may worsen as a result of stress and frustration as the older person becomes more dependent. .In others, a caregiver’s dependence on an older person for accommodation or financial support may be a source of conflict. In a way, misappropriate use of elders’ pension by family members cause a psychological strain One of the articles illustrates that” Some of the family members came to see their close relatives only on the day they received their pension, took the money and left” (Buzgova &Ivanova, 2009).
