Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Página 66

Older Persons and Neglect

loving and caring for their adult child. The stories they share could reveal the
deep-rooted conflict between protecting the child and caring for oneself.
This comment from a woman is such an eye opener. She said, “I never really
had anyone ask me ‘how did I feel about being a mother.”

Difficulties that plague older persons facing
neglect
It is not unusual for older women to feel ambivalent about their care giving
role and to experience dual feelings which include torn feelings of loyalty
and protectiveness towards their adult children and, simultaneously feeling
anger and resentment at having to provide non-normative care giving to their
adult children. It is not unusual too for older women who are neglected to
be isolated with limited social contacts. As they age, they too could have a
physical or mental disability. Many are dependent on others for their care and
have difficulties in communication. Neglect commonly arises from a lack of
support for the carer who needs assistance to cope with both care and noncare related stressors.
Families may also not have the knowledge or ability to coordinate care
arrangements or make contact with services. It may well be then that it is not
until after neglect has occurred and the effects apparent that support needs
are identified. This suggests that opportunities for proactive needs assessment
had been missed or that needs assessment had not been comprehensive, with
carer needs remaining unidentified. It is also possible that the level of services
needed were not readily available. For example gambling and addiction
services are not readily accessible. It is also likely that some carers lack the level
of skills needed to provide adequate care as they age. Some family carers
may be capable of providing care but are under stress and unable to cope
with competing responsibilities, for example because of work and/or caring
responsibilities for their own children. Some carers were part of a ‘sandwich’
generation, faced with the dual task of caring for two generations, young and
old. Some family carers may not only lack the skills to provide adequate care
but may also reject the carer role. Dysfunctional family dynamics, with some

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