Abstract
This paper is based on the scientific study of quality of life in old age and summarizes the entire perspective of elder care laws in European countries. This paper aims to answer the following questions:
- What rights are ensured through elder care laws in European countries?
- Are those rights, laws, and responsibilities sufficient or properly practiced in need of long-term assistance?
- What is the image of elder care assistance in certain European countries? Whether they are confined to eldercare abuse or not?
- Do the above fields of discrimination against elder people seek proper guidance and recommendations for raising awareness to prevent elder abuse in European countries? If so then what are those?
To answer these questions, we generally focus on the European Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of Elder People, different articles and research papers, and newspaper articles for collecting primary data regarding that issue.
Introduction
Many people experience infringements of their human rights in later life. It is a well-established fact that, across Europe, the population is aging.[1] The World Health Organization believes that most developed world countries consider that old age starts at 60 years and above. [2] Most of Europe has similar views of old age to the World Health Organization, believing that old age starts at 65 years of age. [3]
A greater life expectancy combined with declining birth rates has meant that in Europe the number of older (55-64), elderly (65-79), and very elderly (80+) people has grown to an unprecedented level and this trend is steadily increasing. It is estimated that those over the age of 79 are expected to triple across the EU by 2060.[4]
The rising life expectancy means that more people now reach an age where declining physical and mental health make them dependent on help from others.[5] In other words, it is now widely acknowledged that an aging society is a key challenge for both domestic governments and the EU that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.[6]
Whereas some countries may describe elder care as a central familial or religious value, elder care in Europe is enshrined as a pillar of social rights.[7] This society-based conception of the responsibility for elder care means that, unlike in countries where elder care is centralized in multigenerational living with immediate or extended family, more than 30 percent of European elders live alone.[8] Because the rapid population aging is an international phenomenon, it is getting a special challenge for Europe because of the growing demand for elder care.
The negligence, abuse, and undignified treatment are all too gradual occurrences. In this case, human rights standards provide vital protection for elder people by providing culture and attitudes, practice and procedure, and offering redress while there is a breach of human rights.
The five main articles of the European Convention on Human Rights are significant for older people.[9]
- Article 2 – Right to life
- Article 3 – Prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Article 5 – Right to liberty
- Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life
- Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination
This paper aims to concern how the law and policy of the European Union (EU) have engaged in practical fields along with the challenges of an aging population. One such challenge includes Long Term Care (LTC) of elderly people. But this Long Term Care is practically under question. Long Term Care is a general term that indicates the support that certain individuals need.
As a result of mental and physical disability or old age or both, over an extended period of time to enable them to perform basic tasks necessary for their daily living.[10] To compete with the challenge of elder care by this growing population, the EU has an obligation to lead policy and legislation to develop a coherent strategy and to lead the development of good quality, accessible, and affordable provisions for ensuring the care of older citizens and for those who provide care.
Literature searches
This paper includes preliminary searches of existing studies to identify the most eligible methods and findings about elder care laws and rights around European countries. Any kind of electronic search was not examined here. This literature review was done using different search engines such as Google Scholar and Scilit as well. Manual searches were carried out by scrutinizing the reference lists of many relevant selected papers.
Among those, the “European Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of Older People in Need of Long-Term Assistance and Care” a project of EUSTaCEA, under the Daphne III program is vital. Most of the information relating to the rights and responsibilities of elder people, their socio, political, and familial status, and recommendations to policy givers, informal carers, social carers, and service providers throughout this paper- are authorized to be collected from the said project. This paper goes through the following articles:
- The Care Act, 2014; Protecting the Elderly- requires local authorities to set up a Safeguarding Adults Board.
- The Texas Human Resources Code- for collecting information about the civil rights of elder people.
- Elder Abuse in Europe, a project with the support of the European Commission- for collecting data about the abuse of elder people.
- Elderly Cameroonians Fight Discrimination- a newspaper article about Africa etc.
Methodology
This paper focuses on the laxity of elderly people in the Europe countries. The paper is also concerned about the rights and laws of elderly people accompanied by the European Commission and the European Charter. In order to do this, we have chosen a lot of paperwork relating to our studies and networking as well with respect to this research methodology. The literature review is the major source of this paper. We use secondary sources for collecting data on this topic. This paper is all about mixed methodology in which we have tried to put information throughout the last decades as well.
Elder Care Laws and Rights of people in European countries
What are the rights ensured in elder care law in European countries?
The European Charter and European Union (EU) have ensured certain rights and laws for the protection of elders both at home and in any medical institution. The rights and laws are discussed briefly as follows:
Right to dignity, physical or mental integrity, freedom, and security
When an older person loses his or her autonomy, he or she becomes more vulnerable to violence and mistreatment and without awareness of their rights, older persons cannot know that they are being abused or discriminated against or how to respond appropriately and seek help when they are faced with difficult or distressing situations.[11]
Right to self-determination
Every older person shall have the right to self-determination. Older people who need long-term care often see their mobility and self-determination reduced.[12] It can be particularly problematic for older women who depend on their partner for their financial and mobility needs. For example, some service providers do not encourage older people to go to the shops and choose the products they want, or do not allow people to help prepare their meals for safety reasons.
Right to privacy
Every elderly person should have the right to privacy and it is very important for their living. People in long-term care are at greater risk of a lack of privacy and intimacy as a result of their personal care needs.[13] This is particularly true for people living in residential care who have to share their bedroom with another person. Privacy is very important because it plays a key role in maintaining an older person’s self-esteem and well-being.
In addition, the desire for intimacy does not decrease with age, and there is no age at which intimacy is inappropriate. Confidentiality is also an essential requirement for the preservation of trust between the older person and their caregivers. Older people should be able to expect that information about their health which they give in confidence will be kept confidential unless there is a compelling reason why it should not.[14]
Right to personalize information, advice, and informed consent
Informed consent is a process of communication between an elder and their healthcare team, which gives the individual the legal authority to choose among medically reasonable treatment options for their health and illness. Informed consent involves shared decision-making: The elder and their healthcare provider share their input to make the best possible healthcare decision for the individual. The individual shares their perspective on their values, expectations, and goals relevant to the disease and the treatment. The provider shares the relevant medical information about the diagnosis, the expected prognosis of the disease, available treatment options, and if they can help the individual meet their goals in life.
Giving information is not a simple process. It requires certain skills from professionals and sometimes needs to be repeated. Older people in need of care are not passive receivers and need to be involved in their care decision-making processes.[15]
Right to continued communication, participation in society, and cultural activists
It is true that, with age, older people’s social networks tend to decline.[16] It is important to ensure that opportunities for people to meet are supported through accessible public spaces where all generations can meet, including older persons. Older people should be encouraged to stay connected: isolation is the single biggest risk factor for elder abuse. Lack of participation and influence in society can lead to isolation, inactivity, and feelings of meaninglessness capacities.
Right to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and conscience.
It is a fundamental right of every person and shall be entitled to freedom of expression, thought, and conscience. Elderly people shall be entitled to these rights also.
Right to palliative care and support, and respect and dignity in dying and in death
Actions regarding end of life are regulated by national laws that no one should ignore, in particular those who provide care to very old and dependent people. Yet the right to die with dignity is sometimes jeopardized by institutional rules and habits which result in the most deplorable forms of elder abuse because they concern people who have become dependent on others and may suffer great pain. Measures are not always taken to alleviate and prevent undue pain and to provide emotional support to the dying person and her or his family.[17]
Right to redress
In most cases of elder abuse, victims do not wish to report abuse. There are several reasons for that: they are afraid of losing the relationship with the abuser, they are afraid of the possible consequences of reporting abuse for themselves or loved ones, they lack knowledge about what constitutes abuse and so might fail to recognize that certain actions are abuse. Every person witnessing or having information on a possible case of abuse should make sure that the victim knows how to report it.
Right to be free to exercise Civil Rights under the law
The elderly have the same civil rights as other adults under U.S. and Texas laws, except where lawfully restricted. They also have the right to use those civil rights free of interference, coercion, discrimination, and reprisal.[18]
Right to Dignity and Respect
Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake and to be treated ethically. An older person shall have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, without regard to race, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, marital status, or source of payment.[19]These rights create make his her own choices about personal affairs, care, benefits, and services, and being free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Right to Designate a Guardian or Representative
An elder person shall be required to protect their. They also have the right to designate a guardian or their representatives.
Right to be Free from Physical and Mental Abuse
The older have the right to be free from physical and mental abuse. Physical abuse includes corporal punishment, as well as physical or chemical restraints used to “discipline” a person, or used for the convenience of a person providing services. Restraints are only permitted in very specific circumstances, such as when authorized by a doctor, in case of emergency, or certain circumstances when the court-appointed guardian of a person with an intellectual disability[20].
Right to Communicate and Complain Regarding Treatment, Care or Services
An elderly person shall be entitled to communities and complaints regarding treatment, care, or services. An elderly person may not be prohibited from communicating in his or her native language with others or employees to acquire or provide any type of treatment, care, or services.
In addition, he or she may complain about care or treatment, both anonymously or through a designated person. The service provider shall promptly respond to resolve the complaint and may not discriminate or punish the elderly person who makes a complaint. This right is sometimes violated by nursing homes. A nursing home must have an effective procedure for receiving complaints from elderly people and responding to those complaints.[21]
Right to Participation in Activities
An elderly person may participate in many kinds of activities, such as social, religious, or community groups unless the participation interferes with the rights of other people.
Right to financial management
An elderly person may manage his or her personal financial affairs or may authorize another person to do so in writing. The elderly individual may choose how his or her money is managed by another person and may choose the least restrictive of methods, such as:[22]
- a money management program,
- a representative payee program,
- a financial power of attorney, or
- a trust or similar method.
Elderly people may want help with their finances, but unless they hand control over to another, they have the same right as anyone else to receive, spend, invest, save, or give away their money.[23]
Right to Access and Confidentiality of Records
An elderly person is entitled to access his or her own personal and clinical records. These records are confidential and may not be released without permission, except to another person providing services at the time the elderly individual is transferred; or if required by another law.
Right to Keep Possessions
An elderly person may keep and use his or her possessions, including clothing and furnishings, as space permits. The number of personal possessions may be limited for the health and safety of other people.[24]
Right to Social Security
Everyone has the right to social security. The right to social security encompasses the right to access and maintain benefits without discrimination to secure protection from a lack of work-related income caused by sickness, disability, maternity, old age, unemployment, or unaffordable health cases.[25] Through the provision of social welfare or assistance, states must guarantee protection to everyone, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, in the event of unemployment, illness, disability, old age, or other such life circumstances.
Example: Social Security pays benefits to older workers who meet medical and insured requirements. So, social security is most important for older people.[26]
Problems and Findings
Are those rights, laws, and responsibilities sufficient or properly practiced in need of long-term assistance?
The above rights, laws, and responsibilities are thought sufficient to ensure elders a healthy and happier life, but in practice, it has been found that those are not duly observed. This is the cause of elder abuse, elder maltreatment, elder insecurity, and elder death. Elder abuse is generally an infringement of human rights which leads to suffering and decreased treatment of livelihood. This is a violation of Article 25 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which recognizes and respects the rights of elder people to lead lives of dignity and independence and to participate in social and cultural life.[27]
The World Health Organization (WHO) and The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) have acknowledged the abuse of elder people as a global problem and concern. Recent studies will show how the elder people of Europe countries are suffering from a lack of the need of proper care and assistance.
Elder abuse and insecurity
The “Right of dignity, physical and mental integrity, freedom and security” concern that elder people might need help in every sphere of their life. As one of them pleas:
“I am hungry, the only thing I would eat is the yogurt but I can’t open it, so I leave it.”[35]
This basically happens to them and this situation may not be considered as abuse but this is truly an unfortunate consequence of getting old.
In the case of the “Right to self-determination”, the elder people ask to be their way, to choose their food, clothes, and moving. But in practice, they are dominated. As one of them pleas:
“What I miss is the freedom to choose, to choose when I get up, what to have for lunch, what to wear today.”
“I don’t understand why I have to take all these medications, they make me feel dizzy.”[36]
“Right to privacy” is the most protective fundamental right of a person. But the carer of an elder person has never secured that right for them. They most of the time treated like a piece of shit. As one of the elders said:
“I don’t like being treated like a piece of furniture. Can’t they talk to me when they wash me instead of discussing with them what they did last weekend? I am not dead yet. I have feelings too!”[37]
Even the victims do not dare to report for elder abuse. When they do, they are mistreated by the managemental body. They are afraid of the consequences of reporting that abuse for themselves or their loved ones. As a result, the “Right to redress” is neglected here. As one of the victims complained:
“When I tried to report elder abuse to my line manager, the next day I received a letter from the Director telling me that I was sacked for moral harassment of other staff”.[38]
Care of Elderly patients in European countries
What is the image of Elder care assistance in certain European countries? Whether they confined to Eldercare abuse or not?
Elder abuse is currently a worldwide problem. In the European Union (EU) elder abuse has become a growing concern over the last few years as European countries face irreversibly transformed age pyramids.[39] While the number of people 65+ in 2010 represented more than 17% of the total population, according to the latest projections, the number of people over the age of 65 will double and the number of people over the age of 80 will triple by 2060.[40]
More than a third of them suffer from different dementia and diseases which is making them more vulnerable which leads to fewer opportunities to access quality health care and social assistance. So many of them are stuck with social isolation and poverty.
Although this paper shows the rights and laws of elderly people ensured for their long-term assistance and care- in many countries in Europe, the elder people are an object of abuse both in the home and medical center. Most medical carers neither care for them all nor even judge them as human beings at all. It is widely acknowledged that the number of deaths of elder people is growing because of a lack of proper care and facilitation.
In a survey in Slovakia, one of the older persons interviewed captured the severity of this form of abuse saying[41]: “I don’t want to live. In the past, it wasn’t like this. We took care of our parents when we were children. Now grandchildren defraud their grandparents, they take our money because they think that we don’t need it”.
The system of elder care throughout Europe lacks a coherent structure to deal with its growing population. This paper is now leading forward a brief discussion about the care of elderly patients in some European countries.
France:
As in all industrialized countries, the population of France is aging rapidly[42]. However, the hospital environment remains hostile to older patients because it is not adapted to an aging population. Most general practitioners try to avoid the hospitalization of older patients. Therefore, for many elderly patients hospital is the only option[43]. The time for visiting elder patients is less than that which is required.
In 2021, during COVID-19, a dedicated helpline available in France for sending alerts about abuse or risk of abuse, received 36 percent more calls related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities since the beginning of the year.[44] According to a report by the World Health Organization, the prevalence of elder abuse in both the community and in institutions has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. “A US study, for instance, suggests that rates in the community may have increased by as much as 84 percent,” the WHO report states.[45]
In France, many health and social care practitioners are becoming aware that despite considerable economic resources directed towards health and social care provision for old age, there is a widening gap between those who receive an adequate or more than adequate level of services and those who are excluded[46]. For those older people faced with disability or ill health, home and family will be their main source of support[47].
Germany:
Like many other European countries, in Germany, the abuse of older people is not a new phenomenon. Abuse of elderly people has become a growing concern day by day in Germany. The maltreatment of older persons is a major societal problem that goes often undetected[48]. The aging population has given rise to fears that elder abuse might increase. This is not because of only the change of family structure, the socio and economic problem also creates a taboo under this elder abuse. Some studies and surveys have been conducted in different regions and It has been shown that older persons are vulnerable to abuse and suffer severe consequences of violence.[49]
In Germany, the issue of caregiving is like that of infrastructure, digitization, and education. The country just muddles through Policymakers kick the can down the road, shrinking away from the long-overdue reform that would hold for the coming decades.[50] Today, caregiving for the old and disabled in Germany is a sector worth billions of euros, and one rife with reports of abuse: middlemen lining their pockets; families exploiting their caregivers or treating them like modern slaves; and workers who steal or just vanish overnight. Down the road, shrinking away from the long-overdue reform that would hold for the coming decades. [51]
In December 2017, some 3.4 million people needed nursing care across Germany and that number is on the rise. Two-thirds of those in need of help are cared for at home, and the other third — those with the greatest need — are put in nursing homes.[52]
Recommendations
Whether the above fields of discrimination against elder people seek proper guidance and recommendations for raising awareness to prevent elder abuse in European countries? If so then what are those?
It is clear through the above discussion that there are an adequate number of elder laws ensured for the protection and preservation of elders in Europe countries. Although discrimination, abuse, and inferiority in this field are increasing day by day. So, this field of discrimination is required to put an end. Policymakers, informal carers, service providers, older people organizations, and associations are seeking certain recommendations to build awareness in this field of abuse. The recommendation is as follows:
Caregivers should be aware that they have a key role in protecting older dependent persons from abuse[53]
There are formal and informal carers must learn to recognize situations where older people can be at risk of elder abuse and should be aware. Home workers and support workers have a key role in recognizing and protecting people from abuse. They have a responsibility to the people for whom they provide the care, to minimize both the likelihood of abusive situations occurring and the effects that it can have.
Check if the practices are the right ones
Caregivers should check that their practices meet anti-discrimination and dignity guidelines. While it can be difficult to detect the emotional and psychological signs of abuse, any sign of anxiety should be considered a serious problem, in particular when the person suffers from demotion[54].
Develop a systematic process to prevent abuse and take complaints into account
Each service or institution should develop a step-by-step procedure to raise awareness of risk factors and help caregivers or other staff know what they have to do when they suspect or witness elder abuse. Complaints have to be taken seriously and both the older person and the person reporting elder abuse must be protected from any negative repercussions[55]. Initial training programs and refresher courses for formal and informal caregivers must integrate systematically the ability to observe, detect, and handle even the most “invisible” types of elder abuse and discrimination. These trainings should involve a wide range of stakeholders such as caregivers, elder abuse helplines, doctors, or the police.
Raise awareness of elder abuse
Unlike child abuse or domestic violence against women, elder abuse is still taboo. Public authorities, service providers, and older people’s organizations must break the taboo and raise awareness of the fact that fighting elder abuse and promoting the well-being and dignity of older dependent people is a duty shared by all, public authorities, service providers, relatives, neighbor and friends of dependent older persons.[56]
Provide information on where to call
Older people and carers must receive information on how to report a situation of elder abuse and where to call for support. This information should be provided through widely available leaflets, dedicated websites in plain language, and helplines. Information should also explain how a person can access the social benefits and assistance they are entitled to.[57] A staff member can be designated to help persons in residential care settings access this information. This is particularly important for migrants who need help to understand the health and social care system of their host country and may face language.
Create a public body responsible for anti-discrimination and the fight against elder abuse
A public body should be available for citizens to react to any form of discrimination and abuse, such as an ombudsman or a public agency fighting against discrimination and abuse. This public body must cover discrimination on all grounds: employment, health services, social services, etc., and must cover a broad definition of abuse: physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, and material, and neglect.
Respect the needs and wishes of the person
The choice of care setting must be made following the care recipient’s wishes and the appropriateness of the care setting for their needs and financial resources. Nobody should force people into a choice regarding this or any decision concerning medical treatment and care. The care recipient or their representative must be given time to consider all the available options, including those based on medical grounds.
Take steps to ensure mobility and autonomy are maintained
Caregivers and service providers must ensure that they promote the autonomy of care recipients by taking measures to preserve their mobility, for example through gentle exercise with support where needed[58]. Any form of constraint to freedom of movement should be applied only if appropriate, i.e. if the person is at risk. Caregivers must as much as possible encourage older people to eat and drink independently regardless of the time and support needed. When living at home people should keep a kitchen if possible and if the person cannot cook, s/he must be consulted on his/her preferences regarding the composition of their meals. Living accommodations should be arranged to encourage mobility and movement.
Provide adequate support for decision-making
Decide to help the support, especially when they suffer from cognitive impairment. For example, support to improve levels of “financial literacy” is required to enable older people to understand the legal and financial implications and to make informed decisions when confronted with health problems, the death of a relative, or moving into residential care.
Rely on a third party if needed and limit restrictions to the person’s autonomy
Where the care recipient’s mental capacity is impaired, or if the person has difficulties communicating and can no longer make any form of judgment, then a person should be legally appointed to provide informed consent on her/his behalf. This decision must always be taken in the person’s best interest and needs to involve caregivers and professionals when considering whether how to draw up an advance directive.[59]
Conclusion
Everyone must age and grow older and this is an undeniable truth. In the final stage of life, everyone becomes a child and seeks to be pampered like children. A negative attitude toward elder people is the trigger of elder abuse. First of all, it should be remembered that our grandfathers and grandmothers and older fellows around us are also human beings. They have the right to be treated with care and dignity in their later stage of life. And this is a burden to us for their well-being and healthier lives.
Living in own home has no alternative. It is far better than the older care or any other medical institution. When the elders live with their families, they can be more happy and cheerful. The family members are the caregivers of the elderly people, especially children and grandchildren. It is better not to dominate the elders but to leave them well along with their wisdom.
First of all, banning elder abuse could be the most necessary key element for fighting ageism and gender discrimination in European countries. Then a common analysis and implementation of elder care laws could be a greater form of needy aspects to tackle elder abuse. The EU should support the member states in their efforts to tackle elder abuse. Each service or institution should develop a step-by-step procedure to raise awareness of the risk factors of elder abuse. Research should be intensified to prevent elder abuse around Europe countries in all aspects, not only limited to Long Term Care. Moreover, the European need to move towards a model that respects and promotes the dignity and wellbeing of older people.
Limitation
Throughout this study, we had to make a move with certain inconveniences because living in Bangladesh, we couldn’t be able to collect primary data on elders in Europe going door to door. We couldn’t be able to hear the pleas of their souls by taking interviews in respect of elder abuse. Besides, It was not possible to reach out or study several articles or papers online regarding this topic because we don’t have that access. If we had not gone through these kinds of restrictions, we could have done better in writing this paper by putting more pieces of information regarding elder care laws and perspectives in European countries.
References
[1] J. Herring, Older People in Law and Society, (OUP, 2009) and Caring and the Law (Hart, 2013).
[2] Liz Alderslade, “What age is considered “Old”, 7th June, (2011)
[3] Liz Alderslade, “What age is considered “Old”, 7th June, (2011)
[4] European Commission, The 2015 Ageing Report, available at http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2015/pdf/ee3_en.pdf, accessed on 29th October, 2022.
[5] Law and the Ageing of Humankind, WG Hart Workshop, 22-23 June, (2015)
[6] ibid
[7] Rachel Harris, “Aging Alone: Elder Care Infrastructure in the EU”, Harvard International Review (HIR), 28.Feb.2022
[8] ibid
[9] “Briefing: Human rights of older persons and their comprehensive care”, July (2017)
[10] European Commission, Commission Staff Working Document, “Long Term Care in an Ageing Society – Challenges and Policy Options”, SWD (2013) 41 final.
[11] “European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010)
[12] ibid
[13] European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010),
[14] ibid
[15] ibid
[16] ibid
[17] European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010),
[18] Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, “Senior Rights”, < http://txoag.force.com/CPDO > accessed on 17th November 2022
[19] Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, “Senior Rights”, < http://txoag.force.com/CPDO > accessed on 17th November 2022
[20] ibid
[21] ibid
[22] Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, “Senior Rights”, < http://txoag.force.com/CPDO > accessed on 17th November 2022
[23] ibid
[24] ibid
[25] UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS, office of The High Commission, “ About the right of social security and human rights”, https://www.ohchr.org/en/social-security/about-right-social-security-and-human-rights > accessed on 17th November 2022
[26] UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS, office of The High Commission, “ About the right of social security and human rights”, https://www.ohchr.org/en/social-security/about-right-social-security-and-human-rights > accessed on 17th November 2022
[27] Liesbeth De Donder, Minna-Liisa Luoma, Bridget Penhale, Gert Lang, Ana J. Santos, Ilona Tamutiene, Mira Koivusilta, Anna Schopf, José Ferreira Alves, Jolanta Reingarde, Sirkka Perttu, Tiina Savola, and Dominique Verté, “, European map of prevalence rates of elder abuse and its impact for future research”, [European Journal of Ageing], 20th May, (2011)
[28] Dinesh Sethi, Sara Wood, Francesco Mitis, Mark Bellis, Bridget Penhale, Isabel Iborra Marmolejo, Ariela Lowenstein, Gillian Manthorpe & Freja Ulvestad Kärki, “European report on preventing elder maltreatment”, [World Health Organization (WHO)], (2011)
[29] Dinesh Sethi, Sara Wood, Francesco Mitis, Mark Bellis, Bridget Penhale, Isabel Iborra Marmolejo, Ariela Lowenstein, Gillian Manthorpe & Freja Ulvestad Kärki, “European report on preventing elder maltreatment”, [World Health Organization (WHO)], (2011)
[30] “Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Elder Abuse: Know the Basics” <http//www.dentalcare.com>, accessed on 20th November, (2022)
[31] ibid
[32] ibid
[33] ibid
[34]ibid
[35] “European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010)
[36] ibid
[37] ibid
[38] ibid
[39] Nena GEORGANTZ, Legal & Research Officer – AGE Platform Europe, “Elder abuse and neglect in the European Union”, 21-24 August (2012)
[40] Ibid
[41] Ibid
[42] “Care of elderly and geriatric patients in EU countries”, <healthcare -in-europe.com>, 16th July, (2021)
[43] ibid
[44] “Abuse of elderly and disabled in Franch has increased during Covid-19 pandemic: Report”, Rfi- Franch, Issued on August 12, (2021).
[45] ibid
[46] OGG Jim, “Elder Abuse in France”,[Russel House], Social Work in Europe, 2(3), 1995, pp.8-11.
[47] ibid
[48] Dr. Claudia Mahler, “Elder Abuse and Neglect in Germany”, [Deutsches Institut fur Menschenrechte], 30th July-1st August, (2014)
[49] ibid
[50] Oliver Pieper, “Germany is Failing to manage Elder Care”, [D/W, Made for Minds], January 8, (2021)
[51] ibid
[52] Andrea Grunau, “I can’t let my mother die of thirst”. [D/W, Made for Minds], December 28, (2018)
[53] European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010),
[54] ibid
[55] European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010),
[56] ibid
[57] ibid
[58] European Charter of Rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance”, Daphne III program, EUSTaCEA Project, [Accompanying Guide]. November (2010),
[59] ibid
