Våld i nära relation har ingen åldersgräns

: Distriktssköterskans erfarenhet av att på vårdcentralen möta äldre personer utsatta för våld i nära relation

Abstract

Background: Violence in close relationships among the elderly is a globally health problem. The violence can be physical, psychological, financial, sexual, neglect, digital or material. The district nurse at the primary health care center is usually responsible for the first and repeated contact with the elderly patients and has an important role in identifying and helping elderly victims of violence. In order for the district nurse to be able to identify and help elderly, more knowledge about the subject is required. Aim: The purpose was to describe within the health center’s work area the district nurse’s experience of meeting elderly people who have been exposed to violence in a close relationship. Method: The study was conducted as a qualitative interview study with an inductive approach where 10 district nurses participated from primary health care centers in Skåne. Results: The results revealed the district nurses' experiences of identifying and helping abused elderly. Results show that elderly victims of violence mask their vulnerability and seek care for other reasons. Further experience was that family caregivers are a group that the district nurse should pay attention to, as violence in close relationships is common in this group. The relationship between the elderly and the district nurse plays a major role in the identification of intimate partner violence. Results show that there are both obstacles and opportunities for the district nurse to ask about violence. The district nurses need training, routines and support to identify and help abused elderly. Conclusion: To identify and help elderly victims of violence, the district nurse needs training and routines. More research in the subject increases knowledge and gives the district nurse better conditions to identify and help elderly victims of violence.

Date of Award	2024-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Marie Rask (Supervisor) & Lina Behm (Examiner)