Introduction
The severe public health issue of elder abuse, an expression that covers a wide range of types of mistreatment, has been gradually getting attention. These problems also grow more common as the world's population ages. In order to guarantee that the institutions in place can appropriately meet their requirements and safeguard them from abuse and mistreatment, it is urgent to address the demographic transition favoring an older population.
Background
Elder abuse includes a range of wrongdoings, including neglect, financial exploitation, and physical, emotional, and sexual assault. Older persons frequently experience social isolation after losing family and friends, which makes them more susceptible to abuse. Elderly people frequently find themselves depending on others, such as paid carers or friends and relatives for assistance with everyday tasks.
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is ‘some of the factors that heightened elder abuse include poor health, disability, and dependence on the caregiver.’ This essay's focus is on the
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These include physical, mental, psychological, and emotional abuse, as mentioned by Inelmen et al. (2019). Furthermore, it covers sexual abuse as well as verbal abuse, financial exploitation, rights violations, and other offenses. With such wide criteria, it may be difficult to recognize abuse, which is made more difficult since victims frequently keep their voices down out of fear, humiliation, or a lack of awareness of their situation.
Social and cultural factors that influence how elder abuse is viewed worsen the issue. The chance that elders abuse will be reported and recognized, not just by victims themselves but also by healthcare professionals, is frequently influenced by cultural norms and taboos. The fundamental problem is that healthcare workers still have a very poor understanding and perception of elder abuse (Inelmen et al.,
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.
“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
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.
All things considered, the elderly adults can neither voice their opinions, some individuals think that they are not giving anything to society, therefore they don’t see them as important to look after them. Social effects might include that the effects of neglect and abuse will vary from generation to generation, for example, individuals such as grandchildren who witness abuse, will therefore witness behaviour which is negative towards adults who are older, therefore the children will assume it is acceptable to disrespect individuals such as adults. This indicates that neglect of older adults is not a private matter, as it affects individuals, communities and, families, compelling society to carry on with what they assume right. Whilst responding to direct , and indirect disclosure it is important to listen carefully, as there self reliance isn’t that strong, therefore are in a situation where Chloe is not able to rely on herself, therefore the service user who has been victimised to abuse relies on the service provider.
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 major drawback of the Criminal Code is the fact that it does not address elder abuse specifically. Instead, this code operates in areas such as “child abuse, sexual assault and spousal violence” (Donovan & Regehr, 2010, p.177). However, elder abuse must be included in other Criminal Code provisions. For example, financial abuse cases can be considered through provisions related to robbery, falsification or fraud (Donovan & Regehr, 2010). Physical abuse episodes are addressed under the provisions of homicide, assassination and other physical assault.
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.
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
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.
Assessment and Intervention of Abuse, Neglect and Substance Disorders in Older Adults The older adult population is one of the fastest growing populations in the world and often time’s abuse, neglect and substance disorders in this population are under reported and or under diagnosed. This paper will help define elder abuse and neglect as well as discuss possible assessment tools and intervention that maybe used to help identify and deal with this growing problem.
Describe the case in detail In June 2016, the Adult Protective Service reported a case of elderly abuse to the Lafayette police after a family called them to report that their mother was a victim of abuse. Julie Steenhoek, a 53 years old, was accused of financial abuse to a woman with health problems. The victim was Lavinia Reno, a 79-year-old woman. The police found that Julie was living in the house of the victim after she has gained the victim’s trust.
This abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, neglect, abandonment, financial or material exploitation, and self-neglect abuse. I will focus on this social condition of abuse that has triggered through social experience leading to the abuse of African American elders. African American elder abuse is the mistreatment towards black individuals of the age 60 and older. The victims are usually older frail and vulnerable seniors. The abusers of the victims are commonly close relatives, spouse, or caretaker.
Many of them may not be able to recover from different types of abuse. For older people, the consequences of abuse can be especially serious, and recovery may take longer (WHO). If these residents are physically abused, it can lead to them being hospitalized from their injuries. Most of them are fragile and weak due to their physical health so they are easily bruised and hurt. The elderly can end up being depressed and having a cognitive decline because what is happening to them.
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