Contributions to address violence against older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil

Moraes, Claudia Leite de; Marques, Emanuele Souza; Ribeiro, Adalgisa Peixoto; Souza, Edinilsa Ramos de

doi:10.1590/1413-812320202510.2.27662020

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ARTICLE • Ciênc. saúde coletiva 25 (suppl 2) • Oct 2020 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320202510.2.27662020 copy

Contributions to address violence against older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Most Brazilian state and municipal governments have used social distancing as the primary strategy for reducing the transmission speed of the new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19. However, this social isolation has had several adverse repercussions, including increased intrafamily violence against children, adolescents, and women. Recently, violence against older adults (VAOA) during the pandemic has also been on the agenda of concerns, although discussing possible strategies for coping with VAOA during COVID-19 is still unimpressive worldwide. Aiming to broaden the debate on the theme in Brazil, this paper aims to offer theoretical elements and evidence from previous studies for a greater understanding of the situation of vulnerability of older adults to situations of violence, of the possible motivations for the increased number of cases of VAOA during the COVID-19 pandemic, and possible strategies to address the problem.

Key words
Domestic violence; Violence against older adults; Older adult abuse; Social distancing; COVID-19

Coping strategies
Macrostructural	. Reduction of social inequality and structural violence . Recognition of the vulnerability of older adults . Development of COVID-19 coping strategies specific to this population (priority access) . Strengthening and reorganizing Primary Health Care to care for older adults . Strengthening advertising campaigns focusing on this type of violence
Community	. Guarantee of 24-hour service of the social equipment of the protection network for older adults and agility of the remote channels for reporting and guidance ("Ligue 180" (violence against women), "Disque 100" (Human Rights) and 190 (Military Police) . Maintenance of routine visits of health and social protection services, through the use of videoconferencing tools or telephone, aiming at assuring care for chronic diseases and identification of suspected cases of violence . Encouraging compulsory notification of violence, as this is an instrument for guaranteeing rights, as it triggers the services of the intra-sectoral health networks and intersectoral networks (social assistance, education, organized civil society and the third sector) . The neighborhood can be of paramount importance concerning the reporting of suspected cases of violence against older adults using the telephone numbers previously mentioned, given older adults' difficulty in reporting their victimization . Expand health and epidemiological surveillance actions in long-term care facilities for older adults to ensure the use of protective equipment and appropriate infection control measures to prevent outbreaks
Relational	. Search for non-violent ways to resolve conflicts . Seek remote contacts with older adults to ensure the social support that is so necessary in times of crisis . Distribute household chores so that care for older adults, children, and adolescents and the home does not burden a single person, usually women
Individual	. Search for non-violent ways to resolve conflicts . Seek remote contacts with older adults to ensure the social support that is so necessary in times of crisis . Distribute household chores so that care for older adults, children, and adolescents and the home does not burden a single person, usually women . Try to keep a healthy diet . Keep in touch with family and friends by phone . Perform relaxation and fitness activities whenever possible . Keep routine medications and seek health services if required . Ask for help and report situations of violence suffered . Consider that home caregivers also need care during the pandemic, such as spaces for the reception of their emotions and psychosocial monitoring

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[1] Collaborations

CL Moraes participated in the bibliographic review, the discussion of the structure, wrote the initial version, and revised the paper’s final version. ES Marques participated in the bibliographic review, in the discussion of the structure, and participated in the drafting of the paper’s final version. AP Ribeiro and ER Souza participated in the literature review and drafting of the paper’s final version.