The Vulnerability Of Elderly People In Society

Anyone who watches the news, listens to the radio or uses social media has seen or heard on numerous occasions’ stories of vulnerable people in society. Stories of people being mistreated or receiving inadequate care from trusted care providers. We can choose to ignore the problem but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. This essay will look at just 2 vulnerable groups in society. Homeless people and the elderly people. These two groups can be completely different as one group can depend on others to survive while the other depends on no one. The essay will demonstrate the attitudes placed on elderly people. The lack of advocy and laws available for older people. We will also look at how prevalent elder abuse is among us today and research some

Ageism is very dominant in our culture today and in my opinion elderly people are very vulnerable within society. Alzheimer’s Ireland conducted a piece of research around elderly people and it has shown that people’s view of elderly people is homogenous. Many elderly people are viewing themselves as recipients of care instead of right holders. The sense of internalised ageism was clearly seen as many of the people who took part in the survey said they see themselves as a burden on society, which in my opinion is a very sad attitude to have. The internalised ageism is nearly multiplied in people suffering with dementia or Alzheimer’s. (www.Alzeimer.ie). the physical frailty and the dependency that older people have on care providers leaves them in a very vulnerable position. Dr Des o Neil who is a consultant has stated that “elder abuse in Ireland is under reported and under acknowledged”. () Elder abuse is defined 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 or violates their human rights” (Protecting our future, report of the working group on elder abuse 2002). It may be hard to believe that in 2016 things like this are still happening to people who are in a vulnerable position, the same people who have placed their trust in people to care for them in their later years. The majority of these

The man John tremble was sentenced to 15 years for abuse he caused to his elderly parents, who were both in their 70s. Mr trembles father also was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it was down to this fact that Mr trembles mother stated she didn’t run away on the one day a week she was allowed leave the house to collect her pension. He starved, imprisoned assaulted and humiliated them. They were made have cold showers and then drip dry. He refused them food clothing and medical needs. The elderly couple were only discovered after a HSE nurse was refused entry and called the guardi who gained entry. They found the couple malnourished. The sentencing judge described Mr Timble as a sadistic Monster. (Irish Times: 2010). Looking at this case from a legal perspective the judge gave a fair sentence for the crime committed taking the fact there is not many laws to protect older people therefore the judge clearly seen aggravating factors in the case. Looking at the sentence from a social perspective lens it could be said that maybe Mr trimble may have benefited from some psychological assessment to assess what could have turned him so evil against his parents, he may have benefited from some therapy in order to address these sick acts that he carried out as the prison will not address this behaviour. Age action Ireland argue that tougher laws are needed. Elder abuse from a criminal side can be