Mistreatments against elderly or disabled people: comparison. Based on 5643 reports created in 2008 by the 3977 staff.

All the statistics are based on what is said during the first call.

Ratio:

81% elderly people / 19% disabled people
For the first year, communication has been focused on elderly more than on disabled people.

Mistreatments:

Elderly people: 1. Emotional (29%), 2. Exploitation (17.4%), 3. Physical (15.4%)
Disabled people: 1. Emotional (39%), 2. Physical(19%), 3. Exploitation and rights (11% each)

Disabled people suffer from difficulties regarding their rights (financial help, technical help, house). These difficulties are not real mistreatments but situations of suffering.
When the situation is in an institution, neglect is the allegation of istreatment the most frequently involved.

Victim - elderly people:

75% women;
70% between 71 and 90 years;
72 % of situations at home

Victim - disabled people:

52% women;
58% between 41 and 60 years;
83% of situations at home

In 49% of mistreatment situations, victim and perpetrator are living together. Most of the situations are a family affair, which complicates the intervention.
There are two explanations to the small numbers of situations in long term care facilities: First, professionals have more training than non professionnal carers. Second, everybody keeps silent about what is seen or suspected, fearing to be said an informer (professionals) or fearing reprisals (families).

Suspected abuser:

Elderly people: Family: 50% and in the family children represent 78%
Disabled people: Family:38% and in the family spouses represent 38% and parents 25%

The carers exhaustion is a reality complicated bu the family history.

The victim is the caller

Elderly people: 42% of calls
Disabled people: 72% of calls

As disabled  victims are younger, they have more possibilities of calling. They often call for themselves, regarding practical difficulties (to receive financial help for example). Lack of understanding of the disability, insults from the neighbours are frequently mentioned by disabled persons.