A recent survey has shown what the elderly go through behind closed doors. For many it’s very hard to talk about their experiences. In Slovenia that topic has also become a worrying social problem. The country has seen a rise in mental, physical as well as economic exploitation of the elderly.
The victims are afraid to speak out, as the people that are exploiting them are often their relatives or other people who they depend upon for care. The Association of Pensioners of Slovenia says that as the economic situation in a country deteriorates, more violence against the helpless older generation is present. They also stress that a successful society finds ways to use the experience and wisdom of older people and doesn’t marginalize them.
According to the Slovenian police force about 5,000 crimes against the elderly are recorded yearly. The number increases annually by approximately 300 cases. The most common forms of violence are neglect, physical abuse as well as psychological abuse, which include humiliation and denial of contact with other people. Financial abuse includes theft, misuse of credit cards and the forcing of older people to sign contracts and wills.
translation: I.U. Rsi