The Protective Services for the Elderly

1. SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR ELDERS EXPOSED TO ABUSE Siri Homelien¹ and Grete Eide Rønningen² Oslo Municipality¹, Vestfold University College² Introduction The Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE), Oslo, Norway, assists elders who are exposed to abuse. There was a need to explore how the elders exposed to abuse while living at home could be empowered through support extended by PSE. • Results • The PSE consultants offer the elder: • Dialogue based on empathy and equality • Possibilities to correct their own theory of change or solutions • Information of measures that produce confidence • Coordination of different health services • Trough dialogue the elder`s ability to • cope with the situation can be strengthened. • Information and knowledge can create • predictability and control. Method This study had a qualitative approach.  Interviews were used to collect data.  The study was based partly on a strategic selection and partly on availability.  Seven elderly persons participated.  Conclusions The elder emphasizes the expert`s competence as essential in order to see possibilities and produce changes.  There is a need for more research that may throw light on coherenceas to relations to abuser, the nature of the abuse and support from formal or informal relations. Oslo Municipality Health Agency The Protective Services for the Elderly