Years of the research: 2015
Country: Serbia
Language: Serbian, English
Keywords:
Abstract:
A survey of older people in Serbia was conducted to understand the structural and individual financial abuse they experienced within the family context, as well as the risks of this form of abuse and their knowledge of their rights. This is the first study on financial abuse of older women in Serbia.
Researchers:
Type of research: national
Target group: Persons above the age of 65 from ten municipalities/cities in Serbia
Sample:
140 randomly chosen interviewees
Aims/Objectives/Background:
Overall goal of the pilot research “Economic elder abuse as a form of violation of human rights” was to obtain initial and preliminary findings on the phenomenon of structural and individual economic abuse in the family context as well as on the potential risks of this form of abuse, considering the overall economic status of older people, including their level of knowledge of the rights they are entitled to by law. Based on research findings a set of recommendations was formulated and communicated to the decision makers.
Findings/outcome/conclusion/research questions:
The majority of older people’s health status is not satisfactory and they cannot afford medication. The model of self-sacrifice for children and other descendants among older people is evident. Older people allow their descendants and persons close to them to handle and manage their funds. More research is needed to understand the full scope of financial abuse of older people in Serbia. The finding of this survey suggests several important trends related to property management, management of funds and inheritance patterns that put older people and especially older women at a higher risk of violation of human rights, poverty, and deterioration of their social and health status. The research demonstrates that gender aspects of financial abuse demand higher levels of attention when discussing the status of older women in relation to government policies.
Online publication/reports/links:
http://redcross.org.rs/slika_4421_Introduction.%20to%20ageing%20and%20human%20rights%20of%20elder%20people.pdf
Financed by: EU
Contact person: Natasa Todorovic, natasa@redcross.org.rs, Milutin Vracevic, milutin@redcross.org.rs
Copyright
“The Central and Eastern European Active Ageing Network database is protected by copyright law, under international agreements and the EC Database Directive 96/9/EC. The owner of the database is the Institute of Mental Health of Semmelweis University and the University of Debrecen Faculty of Health. Reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is not permitted without the prior written authorization of the [owner].”