WOOSTER — The Wayne County commissioners and Job & Family Services workers wore purple Wednesday to raise awareness about elder abuse.
Director Rich Owens and Melissa Plotkin, who investigates complaints of elder abuse, talked about how the number of cases have been on the rise, how abuse/neglect/exploitation cases are investigated and the confidentiality of each investigation.
Over the past two years, Plotkin has been investigating between 280-290 cases annually. Which is up over previous years. She had been doing around 200, and it jumped to 240 before the recent increases.
For it to be considered an elder abuse case, the person must be at least 60 years old. If the complaint is an emergency, someone will visit the house within 24 hours. If
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It is estimated that for every single report of elder abuse there are 14 incidents that are not reported, according to figures provided by JFS.
Something that can be frustrating for family members is the privacy of these investigations. Once JFS receives a complaint and investigates, then all of the information is confidential, Owens said. Seniors have a right to privacy, as long as they are cognizant of person, place and time, he added. “It’s a very difficult position to be in.”
"Elder abuse is a terrible but preventable problem," ODJFS Director Cynthia C. Dungey said in a news release. "It affects all socioeconomic classes, races and genders. The more we spread the word about how to recognize and report it, the easier it will be to stop it from occurring and to make sure our older friends and family members get the help they need and the care they deserve."
ODJFS supervises the state 's Adult Protective Services program, which helps vulnerable adults age 60 and older who are in danger of harm, are unable to protect themselves and may have no one to assist
If they inform the police, they can start an investigation. The health care institution also should make sure that elderly people attend to their appointments because that way they can know if elderly people receive an adequate treatment in their homes. Clearly identify the perpetrator and describe the circumstances leading to the abuse of the elder (risk factors) The perpetrator was a 59 years old women named Dorothea Puente.
Extent of Maltreatment: The household consist of Shaquana L. Wright 37, (maltreating caregiver/mother), Demecia Harris 4, (victim), and Annie Howard (Grandmother). Shaquana Wright, 37(maltreating caregiver), mother of Demecia does not reside in the home Annie Howard (maternal grandmother/caregiver) but frequently visits the home of to care for the child. The maltreatment addressed in this case is Substance Misuse and Environmental Hazards. The child in the home is functioning normally. Child is not exhibiting hunger issues or looking unkempt.
Many people are supported in their homes by people who work along side the health and social care service such as social workers,nursers ,doctor and care givers or they may get support from their family members and friends. An elderly person may choose to stay in their own homes instead of a residential care home while seeking help and support from others,however this can lead to potential opportunities for abuse happening to the person who Is being looked after. When an individual is getting support at home by a carer, the individual being cared for is vulnerable and defenseless and therefor this makes them a target for abuse,another example is abuse by strangers,when an elderly person lives alone they are at risk of people calling at the door and then gaining access to their homes,they may steal items from them or mistreat them or cause intimidation. A person who is vulnerable and living alone are at risk of physical and sexual because there is no one there to stop this abuse from happening.
1. Context an Importance of the Social Problem that Underlies the Policy: A) Every year millions of children suffer from child abuse and maltreatment. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Maltreatment 2013 (2015) report shows that in 2013, there were approximately 3.9 million reports of child abuse made in the United States. Of those reported, 678,932 were deemed victims of child abuse and neglect (child maltreatment 2015). Of the four common types of abuse, i.e., physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect, “the greatest percentages of children suffered from neglect (79.5%) and physical abuse (18.0%).”
abuse: When the service user lives with the carer, it may increase the chances for abuse to occur as this situation may cause stress and resentment if the carer feels he/she cannot cope. Not properly trained staff who do not receive any supervision or support at work, as well as stressed staff who are going through personal problems, or who do not like working in the care sector, may increase the risk of an individual being abused. In addition, patients who are not mobile, are confused, suffer from dementia or are aggressive or challenging, may also present an increase for the risk of an individual being abused, since the carer
These horrible cases should indicate that elderly abuse is a devastating burden on the healthcare system, which should be focused at providing high quality care to each member of society, though especially to vulnerable populations like the
The United States government is doing a surprisingly little amount for the million of elderly who are being abused everyday. An affective abuse policy increasing elderly protection services is immensely needed. The public should also be informed about elderly abuse, and the individuals who commit the crime of abusing the elderly should have stricter punishments. People in society can help towards pushing for a more goal driven elder justice policy. In the article, “The Elderly Must Be Protected From Abuse,” author Robert B. Blancato explains seven goals which should be addressed towards elderly justice.
At Adult Protective Services majority of our work involves investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. At Adult Protective Services our job is to protect the vulnerable elderly population, as well as the population that have disabilities. “Only APS is statutorily authorized and responsible for investigating elder and vulnerable adult abuse and taking steps to protect the victims, and it is generally only APS that helps the most frail and incapacitated older persons”(Quin, 2012, p.68). When abuse is suspected, a case worker will reach out to all parties involved, such as the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, and all collaterals. Unlike many other professions, case worker are not required to have any written consent to speak with
• The Caregiver/alleged abuser may be a friend and co-worker. • Caregivers may be afraid that reporting will make the situation worse. • Caregivers may be fearful of alienating the caregiver/abuser and having needed services refused. • Caregivers may be reluctant to break the "Code of Silence" among
Prospective JD candidate Jane Black analyzes the issue of elder abuse in her article “The Not-So-Golden Years: Power Of Attorney, Elder Abuse, And Why Our Laws Are Failing A Vulnerable Population” (particularly the financial aspect) and creates a solution to the glaring issues that plague the system meant to protect the elderly. Black uses three main points to produce an accurate look at the issues at hand. First, elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse making them easy targets. Second, the laws that are meant to keep the elderly safe are weak, thus enabling more abuse. Third, by creating stronger laws and programs, elder abuse can be curbed very easily.
The Life of Brenda Myers-Powell Brenda Myers-Powell is the founder of the Dreamcatcher Foundation which fights sex trafficking. She grew up on the West Side of Chicago in the 1960s. Her mother was 16 when she had Brenda and died when Brenda was only six months old, leaving her under the care of her grandmother. Unfortunately, her grandmother had a drinking problem and she would have different male company coming over to drink with her. As early as four years old, her grandmother`s male company would sexually abuse her while her grandmother was passed out in the house.
Another case concerning this topic was posted in the Washington Post dated January 28, 2017. This case spoke about caretaker Brenda Floyd who physically harmed her elderly client Dorothy Bratten. This 94-year-old Alzheimer’s patient lived in Memorial Village Texas. On January 1, 2017 Brenda Floyd was accused of physical abuse of this elderly individual. Dorothy Bratten’s children discovered strange bruising on their mother.
This policy states “ A person commits a Class A misdemeanor if he or she is required to make a report under Family Code 261.101(a) [see Duty to Report, above] and knowingly fails to make a report as provided by law. A person who is a professional commits a Class A misdemeanor if the person is required to make a report under Family Code 261.101(b) [see Duty to Report] and knowingly fails to make a report as provided by law. The professional commits a state jail felony if he or she intended to conceal the abuse or neglect. Family Code 261.109
Thousands of aged americans are living out their final years in nursing houses in order that they are able to get the consistent attention and assistance that they want. Unfortunately, many nursing dwelling attendants take these signs of vulnerability as an opportunity for exploitation. Sexual abuse in nursing houses is a quandary of unknown magnitude considering many instances go unreported. Most likely, abuse of any form happens to say dominance over a different man or woman. In the case of sexual types of abuse, this won 't necessarily be the case.
Elder abuse can be referred to as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elderly people often get abuse by people who should be their protector and carer, in most circumstances many elderly adults are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. If you suspect that an elderly person is at risk from a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver, or being preyed upon financially, it’s important to speak up. Learning about the warning signs of elder abuse, what the risk factors are, and how you can prevent and report the problem it’s very vital in protecting the elderly from abuse, some of these abuse are; • Not caring for someone property (neglect) • Pressuring