Community survey of elder maltreatment: A report from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The survey on the prevalence of elder maltreatment in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was conducted in a representative sample of older people aged 65 and over (N=960) living in private households in different regions in the country (530 females (55.3%) and 430 males (44.7%)).

This survey aimed to describe the prevalence of elder maltreatment and to identify risk factors for its occurrence.

Results showed that the prevalence of elder maltreatment in this population is high: psychological abuse 25.7%, financial abuse 12%, neglect 6.6%, and physical abuse 5.7%. Of those reporting abuse, 5.6% reported frequent (at least monthly) abuse of one type and 15.7% reported frequent abuse of more than one type.

The perpetrator was most often a family member. Risk factors included female gender, older age, physical or mental ill health, sensory dysfunction, lower household income or education.

Strategies are needed for the prevention of elder maltreatment which involve multisectoral action from the health, social and justice sectors.