Nursing Home Abuse Essay

Elderly abuse can take a variety of forms including physical, sexual, mental, financial, and neglect. The abuser can be anyone; a caregiver, family member, other patients, or self-inflicted. Recent research states that prevalence of elder abuse in long-term care ranges from 2% to 10% (Connor et al., 2011). According to Shaffer, Williamson, & Dooley (2007), the vulnerability of abuse can be directly related to mental illness, such as dementia, as well as the depression or resentment of caregivers. Kohl, Sanders, & Blumenthal (2012) define the populations at risk as frail elders, those with dementia, and families with a history of violence.

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.

All individuals have the entitlement to living their lives exempt from aggression or any type of abuse. Circumstances of abuse at senior individuals frequently appear publicly although several occurrences of abuse could likewise go unannounced. Safeguarding older people is ever more recognized as a serious matter for society, with ongoing exposure of abusive and unjust systems and practices that defy social care practices and those who labor with adult deemed as at risk (previously referred to as vulnerable) (Scragg & Mantell, 2011). The above change resulted, as the terminology 'vulnerable adult ' was perceived as negatively meaning that the abused adult is partially responsible of the abuse occurring to him/her (Mandelstam, 2011).

Assisted living facilities are one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Unfortunately, assisted living facilities have a history of being problematic. Specific cases from the movie Life and Death in Assisted Living Facilities indicates that assisted living facilities are often under staffed, poorly trained, and often admit elderly patients who are not qualified candidates for their facilities (Byker and Thompson, 2013). When taking this in to account, it is important to consider why families may admit their loved ones in to assisted living facilities. 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

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

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. African American abuse started back when America was segregated and the White Americans

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.

However, the care worker may abuse this power and if a service user had unacceptable behaviour they may be punished rather than being told what their doing wrong, because most care workers complain about their salary, they choose not to do specific things as they complain about “not being paid enough for this” this can lead duty of care being appaling as they may leave individuals who may need support in changing leave them be in an uncomfortable situation for a long duration of time. Respect and Dignity can also be harshly discriminated as care homes may serve bacon to service users who are muslim which is forbidden,this can happen with individuals who have dementia as they may not remember their beliefs. In an old care home, most individuals are capable of doing activities individually, however if they are always helped , they can feel less in control and lack in free choice. When safeguarding is not properly practised people will feel unprotected making them lack sleep as they become frightened at night. When service users are not being treated properly they can become unhappy with the setting and eventually depressed lacking in self image and self

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.

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.

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.

Meta Description: Home health care in Echo Park focuses on patient safety, including the removal of household hazards like the laundry pods that pose a risk to dementia patients.

It seems everywhere you turn you hear or read about abuse of an elderly person, from neglect, to sexual abuse, physical abuse to financial exploitation. This paper will take a historical tour of how far policy has come regarding elder abuse. Next, defining elder abuse while show examples of overwhelming statics. Taking a glance at California and Pennsylvania’s policies by comparison. It will then briefly looks at economic influences, social issues and political difference between the two states. Then finally, future considerations and where we go from her and what is needed to limit elder abuse.

Some dementia patients are combative and hostile and need special attention to ensure their safety. A most common way to do this is using restraints, and this practice is criticized because restraints may cause physical and body harm to the patients as well as infringe on patients’ rights of respect, freedom, and autonomy. The staff at the long-term care facility must walk fine lines in making the determination when a restraint can be used, how it should be utilized without violating the patients ' rights of freedom and

In the UK, over five hundred thousand abuse against elderly people occurred each year. These abuses can occur anywhere, including in someone own home, residential home or hospital.