ipl-logo

Elder Abuse In Nursing Home Essay

2149 Words9 Pages

What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is defined as any harm or abuse towards an elderly person. Examples include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and more. Elder abuse in nursing homes has become a growing concern in society today. As individuals age, they may require the assistance of healthcare professionals to ensure their wellbeing. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes provide the best care for their elderly residents, leading to instances of abuse. This issue is very detrimental, with various factors contributing to its prevalence. In order to address elder abuse in nursing homes, it is important to understand its definition and various forms. Additionally, identifying the contributing factors can aid in the development of preventative …show more content…

According to BK Payne and LB Fletcher (2005), elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or other person that causes harm or serious risk of harm to an older adult. This can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to abuse due to their physical and cognitive impairments and their dependence on others for basic needs. To prevent elder abuse in nursing homes, several measures need to be implemented. Firstly, nursing home staff should receive regular training on recognizing and reporting elder abuse. This training should cover topics such as identifying signs of abuse, understanding residents' rights, and reporting procedures. Secondly, nursing homes should establish clear policies and procedures for addressing elder abuse. These policies should include guidelines for investigating allegations of abuse, protecting residents from retaliation, and providing support to victims. Thirdly, nursing homes should conduct regular assessments of residents' needs and ensure that they receive appropriate care and attention. Finally, family members and friends of nursing home residents should be encouraged to visit frequently and monitor their loved ones' well-being. By implementing these measures, we can help prevent elder abuse in nursing homes and ensure …show more content…

The study found that the overall prevalence of elder abuse in nursing homes was 24.3%, with psychological abuse being the most common type of abuse reported. The study also revealed that residents who were more likely to experience abuse were those with cognitive impairment, physical dependence, and behavioral problems. Furthermore, the study found that abuse was more likely to occur in nursing homes with lower staffing levels and higher staff turnover rates. These findings indicate that elder abuse in nursing homes is a growing problem that needs to be addressed. Improving staffing levels and training for nursing home staff could help prevent and reduce elder abuse in nursing homes. Additionally, it is important for families and loved ones to be vigilant and report any signs of abuse to the appropriate

Show More
Related

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

    4372 Words  | 18 Pages

    Cooper, C., Selwood, A., & Livingston, G. (2008). The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect: a systematic review. Age and ageing, 37(2), 151-160. Department of Heath (2000) No Secrets: Guidance On Developing and Implementation of Multi-Agency Policies and Procedures to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Abuse.

    Read More

  • Dorothea Puente Case

    1794 Words  | 8 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Unit 7 P4 Health And Social Care Study

    799 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Long Term Care Ombudsman Research Paper

    1191 Words  | 5 Pages

    One particularly horrifying event that occurred was in August 1970 when residents in a nursing home in Baltimore died from salmonella food poisoning. The unconcern for the seriousness of this incident shown by writers of the Washington Post demonstrated a need for federal regulations for the standard of care given by nursing homes. Thus, in 1971 President Nixon and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) established the Office of Nursing Home Affairs (ONHA) to oversee any programs involving nursing homes. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was one initiated by ONHA to “improve the quality of care in America’s nursing homes and to respond to complaints submitted… about abuse and neglect of nursing home residents” (Hunt & Nadell, 2007,

    Read More

  • Adult Protective Services Legal Case Study

    347 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a community we want to ensure that our elderly and vulnerable adults are protected. In Buncombe County, 17.5 percent of residents are over the age of 65 and 12 percent of the population 18 and over have one or more types of disabilities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Our neighbors, relatives, and friends all deserve to be cared for appropriately and we are a key part to ensuring that they are safe. North Carolina’s Adult Protective Services law provides protection to all adults over the age of 18 who have a disability and who might be abused, neglected or exploited and who might be in the need of protective services. This can look like a caretaker that withholds appropriate medical care for an adult with a disability, a disabled

    Read More

  • Health And Social Care Level 3 Unit 3 P4

    110 Words  | 1 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Senior Generation Research Paper

    441 Words  | 2 Pages

    National attention should focus on seniors living along or with someone (family members often are the offenders in abuse towards their senior love one), resulting in a reduction of emotional, and physical, financial and sexual abuse of seniors. At this juncture, the National Center of Elder Abuse Administration of Aging (NCEA) should be involved as well as the Alzheimer’s Association to educate the public on aspects of people who get older and can no longer maintain many parts of their lives, including their health. To implement this initiative, a national focus should turn toward current and new applications for products and services applied in the name of a senior, who is not likely to accumulate debt.

    Read More

  • Race Relation In Nursing Home Analysis

    1313 Words  | 6 Pages

    If a resident need to be restrained there must be a doctor to order that restrain for them to actually be restrained. Hawes, Catherine. “Elder Abuse in Residential Long-Term Care Settings: What is Known and What Information is Needed?”  Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, Accessed 26 Feb.

    Read More

  • Elder Abuse In Nursing Home Essay

    1963 Words  | 8 Pages

    These seven goals are as follows: “filling service gaps, educating the public, training professionals, enhancing adult protective services, increasing prosecuting, maximizing resources, and eliminating policy barriers” (78). If the government and society worked towards improving these goals, then elderly abuse will

    Read More

  • Adult Protective Services Case Study

    660 Words  | 3 Pages

    For example services can included: investigation of allegations immediate emergency medical, nutritional, protective, and other services; case manage and risk of further abuse; alternative or improved living arrangements; assistance in obtaining benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, and aging or disabilities services; and environmental cleanup and assistance with the victim’s pets and other animals. When dealing with the elderly “It is important for social work practitioners to understand characteristics of the older adult’s cognitive abilities, mental health and physical health to assist in the understanding of the client’s capacity to make decisions and vulnerability to abuse” (Donovan, 2010,

    Read More

  • Elder Abuse Legislation

    509 Words  | 3 Pages

    Having knowledge of social policies is essential to address elder abuse because it is crucial to have valued information to provide to the service user or how to report any type of abuse or neglect with seniors. In Canada, elder abuse legislation is a responsibility of federal, provincial and municipal (Podnieks, 2008). Likewise, the federal Criminal Code (1985) defines the standards for criminal justice through the country. Hence, this code has strengths and limitation regarding elder abuse.

    Read More

  • Confronting Elderly Abuse

    310 Words  | 2 Pages

    By the end of Confronting Elderly Abuse in America, I was crying and upset. I felt so bad for the victims, and I couldn’t believe that so many people could hurt the elderly. I believe the state stated in the documentary was that nearly 90% are abused by someone they know. It’s devastating to know that those being abused put so much trust in the ones they love without knowing their loved ones are abusing their power. Although, the majority of elderly abuse cases are caused by a loved one or caregiver there are those cases that person abused was picked at random like husband’s grandma.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Elder Abuse And Why Our Laws Are Failing A Vulnerable Population

    970 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • African American Elder Abuse Research Paper

    1760 Words  | 8 Pages

    African American Elder Abuse African American elder abuse is limited on its information when it comes to data and research. I found it very interesting and wanted to find out more about African American elder abuse. Who would think a person would want to abuse an elderly person who is already lacking in abilities and have impairments. As a African American man I have found it very common for individuals of my same race, African Americans to exploit their elders when it comes to finances and neglect abuse of the elders. I wanted to see could I find any correlation of a relationship that connects the African American race and elder abuse in some type of way.

    Read More

  • Essay On Elder Abuse

    1044 Words  | 5 Pages

    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

    Read More

More about Elder Abuse In Nursing Home Essay

Open Document