Traumas faciais em idosos vitímas de violência física no município de João Pessoa – PB

Abstract

Aging is a growing reality in the world and due to its delicacy and vulnerability, the body of the elderly is subject to injuries/trauma. Among the disabling types is oral and maxillofacial trauma. According to data from “DISQUE 100”, between March/June 2020 there were more than 25,000 reports of violence against the elderly in Brazil. Thus, it was necessary to present the occurrence of facial trauma in elderly victims of physical violence. Documentary, cross-sectional, quantitative study, consisting of a sample with records of complaints against elderly people who are victims of physical violence, in the municipality of João Pessoa, in the period January 2019/December 2021, using a collection instrument developed by the researchers. It was possible to identify 41 occurrences. Most victims were female in the three years (85.37%), mean age of 68.7 years and married (46.34%). The largest number of records took place at the elderly person's residence (78.04%), at night (51.22%), on weekdays (53.66%), with the aggressor being mostly male (78.05%), without using instruments (80.49%) and belonging to the family (63.41%). The senescent person is being a 2 growing victim of physical violence mainly caused by family members, with the increased occurrence of these cases in the pandemic as a relevant aspect. This data may indicate possible gaps in the execution/efficiency of protective measures. Regarding speech therapy, the contribution is direct to the well-being of the elderly, recovering self-esteem, the balance of stomatognathic functions and facial aesthetics.