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.
Physical abuse is exactly what anyone could imagine, it involves the physical act of beating, choking, or even sexually assaulting an elderly individual. This might occur in a situation where a caregiver becomes frustrated with an elderly individual for not performing a task the caregiver desires, or could simply be a case where someone takes advantage of an elderly person who may not be capable of retaliating. Psychological abuse is when threats, intimidation, and verbal aggression are used on an elderly person. Psychological abuse can be seen when a decision needs to be made by an elderly individual. One may threaten or intimidate an elder to persuade them to make a desired decision, and the elder would listen in fear or trust that the decision is of the best interest.
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.
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,
• Caregivers may be hearing information that is very contrary to their own personal standards. • Caregivers may be unclear of their responsibility to report or what constitutes abuse or neglect. • Caregivers may be fearful that they will be brought into a legal matter where their reputation and character may be questioned. • Caregivers may not want to become involved. • Caregivers may be fearful of retaliation from the caregiver/alleged abuser or their agency.
Nonsexual physical Intimate Partner Abuse is the tactic most people think of with Intimate Partner Abuse and battered women, including tactics ranging from slapping, shoving, hitting, burning, kicking, and stabbing to shooting, or any other form of nonsexual physical violence. Many research studies, police reports, and so on fail to distinguish between more minor and more serious forms of slapping, shoving, and so on. One force that keeps IPA invisible is that the survivors themselves are often reluctant to define themselves as victims, and might hide, deny, and or/ minimize their partners’ abuse and their own injuries resulting from this abuse, particularly during the early stages of the IPA perpetration. These “unacknowledged victims” are
Hillier and Barrow (2015), associate problems of caregiving with the responsibility itself, the caregivers personal health, role strains, strained family relationships, ect. With all of this strain on an informal caregiver it seems most beneficial to the caregiver and the elderly individual to consider admittance in to an assisted living facility. Once a basis has been established as to why an elderly person is admitted in to an assisted living facility, further insight shall be established to denote what is considered elder abuse. In this movie, Life and Death in Assisted Living Facilities, several
Elder abuse takes on many forms ranging from physical to psychological, and a wide variety of different forms of abuse and neglect. In America alone, it is estimated that four million older people are victims of some type of abuse/and or neglect yearly. Specialists have speculated that for every case reported, there will be around twenty three cases that are not reported According to Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions, elder abuse can be defined as the infliction of physical, emotional/psychological, sexual or financial farm to another adult. This includes neglect, whether it be intentional or unintentional, by a caregiver.
When it comes to abuse and neglect, we automatically think of children. Children are not the only ones who deal with being abused. In fact, this happens to the elderly as well. While some elderly may be productive enough to care for themselves, others are not.
Globally, elder abuse is a major problem. Elder abuse consists of physical abuse, psychological abuse, or the neglect of dependent older persons (Ashman &Zastrow). Mistreatment of the elderly is often at the hands of the individuals spouse, son, daughter, or caregiver, and often takes place while living in the residence of their abuser. Although,
According to congressional study, one in every 25 Americans over the age of 65 is a victim of abuse. Not only the residents of nursing homes experience abuse, so does the staff. There are not as many reports on abuse towards the staff but it does happen. Residents who have mental illness’ are just as likely to become agitated and or aggressive. The staffs are trained to handle residents who become distressed.
It is especially dangerous that nursing homes are lacking in treatment for PTSD because the older population is more prone to depression, and suicide ideations. Without proper treatment and
Child Abuse or Neglect (s. 39.201, F.S.) is harm or threatened harm to a child’s health (mental or physical) or welfare by the acts of a parent, adult household member, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare. In chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.) it mandates that any person who knows or suspects, that a child is being abused or neglected shall immediately report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline. If a mandatory reporter fails to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect he/ she is elevated from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony. Even though every person is responsible to report child abuse and neglect some occupations are required to do so by the Florida law.
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
Problem statement Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines abuse and neglect as "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm." ("What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? (Fact Sheet)", (2018) Modernly, there has been a rise in abusive/neglectful households with no true rhyme or reason. Although there have been scientific studies to provide us with the typical victim there is generally, no obvious signs of abuse until physical appearances are affected.
