Elder abuse suffered at the hands of family members is quickly becoming a major societal problem that requires immediate attention. The American Psychological Association estimates that nearly two million older adults suffer some type of abuse, typically at the hands of family (Fleck & Schmidt, p. 2). However, this number is most likely a gross underestimate as many elderly victims choose not to come forward and report the crime fearing the impact it will have on the family relationship. More people are living longer today than ever before. As a result, family members are taxed with the responsibility of providing care to this expanding population and most are ill prepared for the burden it can create in one’s daily life. The stress this additional role brings can, in some cases, result in abuse toward the elderly individual (Linzer, p.165-66). Elder abuse can take many forms. It may be physical, emotional or sexual; psychological, financial and material exploitation and neglect and abandonment of the older victim (Corey Et Al, p. 251). Whichever form the abuse takes, the impact on the victim is devastating. It is not uncommon for the abused to be left suffering with depression, a sense of helplessness, fear, shame and low self-esteem (Linzer, p. 166). On March 2, 2011 the issue of elder abuse was thrust into the national spotlight when Mickey Rooney, a well known veteran of Hollywood cinema, heartbreakingly testified before Congress of his experiences with abuse at the hands of his family. Testifying before the Senate Aging Committee, he tearfully recounted his family denying him basic necessities such as food and medicine all the while draining his finances. His testimony was raw and powerful, impressing on lawmake... ... middle of paper ... ...-105. Corey, G., Corey, M.S. & Callahan, P. (2007). Confidentiality: Ethical and legal issues. In Brooks/Cole (8th Ed.), Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions pp. 208-264. Filinson, R., McCreadle, C., Askham, J. & Mathew, D. (2008, May). Why should they be abused any more than children? Child abuse protection and the implementation of no secrets. The Journal of Adult Protection, 10(2), 18-28. Fleck, C. and Schmidt, T. (2011, March 2). Mickey Rooney claims elder abuse: Actors testimony to Congress helps spur bill for new crackdown. AARP Bulletin, retrieved from: http://www.aarp.org Killick, C. and Taylor, B.J. (2009). Professional decision making on elder abuse: Systemic narrative review. Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 21, 211-238. Linzer, N. (2004). An ethical dilemma in elder abuse. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 43(2/3), 165-173.
Elder abuse is a very sad reality. With an understanding of what the term elder abuse encompasses, who is at risk, what the warning signs are, the statutes that are there to protect the elderly, who is mandated to report the abuse, and how to report the abuse, it is important to minimize the crime. As with all things, the most important way to prevent something from happening is to educate, and elder abuse is no different. If care takers had education about the numerous resources there are, such as support groups and counseling, elder abuse could possibly be decreased exponentially.
Sengstock, M. C., & Hwalek, M. (1986). Domestic abuse of the elderly: Which cases involve the police? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1(3), 335-349. doi:10.1177/088626086001003006
Williams, M. E. (2006, May 24). The ethical challenges of elder abuse. Medscape Internal Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/532943
With respect to older women, the issue is that there is a serious lack in differentiating between elder abuse and domestic violence. The discrepancy causes confusion as to what agency to report either volunteered or mandated cases of abuse (Kilbane & Spira, 2010). Furthermore, it is because of reporting errors that victims of abuse may not receive the services that are congruent to the type of abuse (Kilbane & Spira, 2010) indicating, “…a lack of centralized reporting of cases….” (Kilbane & Spira, 2010, p. 165).
Due to the increase of elderly people in the population the potential for mistreatment and abuse has
PA consulting (2009) 'Review of the Recommendations of Protecting Our Future: Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse', Dublin.
Every American should have the right to live free from the fear of abuse. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. The National Center on Elder Abuse Administration on Aging (NCEA) stated, “In the United States, the 2010 Census recorded the greatest number and proportion of people age 65 and older in all of decennial census history: 40.3 million, or 13% of the total population. This “Boomer Generation” effect will continue for decades”. This suggests that with the population of elders increasing, the abuse of elders will grow much higher. Elder abuse if defined as intentionally causing harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or someone they trust. There are five main types of abuse; Physical, sexual, neglect, emotional or psychological
Elders in the United States should not have to go through situations of abuse like the one Mildred Mortenson suffered. However, this type of situations happen more often than they should and sadly, there is not enough being done to prevent it. Elder abuse should be recognized as an increasing and very serious problem in our society. As elders grow more physically frail and begin to depend on others to meet their basic needs, they tend to become vulnerable to intentional abuse and neglect within their own home as well as assisted living facilities such as nursing homes. Unfortunately, it is not possible to know exactly how many elders are being abused across the Nation. Due to under-reporting, variations in the definition of elder abuse, and the lack of a uniform reporting system, it is difficult to determine the gravity of this issue causing the problem to remain hidden. However, researchers have reported that “According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection” (Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in an Aging America). The disturbing situation on elder abuse that the nation is currently facing can be prevented if the government, associations, and assisted living facilities provide effective interventions.
Kohl, H., Sanders, B., & Blumenthal, R. (2012). Elder Abuse: What is the Federal Role?. Generations, 36(3), 106110.
According to the Nation Council on Aging (NCOA), “approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and up have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abuse each year.” More specifically, a study based in New York estimated that 260,00 (1 in 13) older adults in the state of New York were victims of at least one form of elder abuse in the preceding year. The study revealed that major financial exploitation was self-reported at a rate of 41 per 1,000 surveyed, which was higher than self-reported rates o emotional, physical and sexual abuse or neglect. (NCEA, 2016). But, sadly with all of the issues of abuse only 1 in 14 cases of abuse get reported to authorities (NCOA, 2017). These situations of abuse are happening by both men and women, with 60% of the abuse performed by family members (NCOA, 2017). The population of elderly is increasing every year and with the elder being the most vulnerable we need to put an end to the incidences of abuse. Now that we have a better understanding of the prevalence and different forms of elder abuse that are present in our healthcare system, there is a question of why these things happen to elders specifically. Why are elderly patients subjected to these forms of
Media attention of elderly abuse usually refers to the incidents of abuse in nursing or assisted care facilities. Although the prevalence of elderly abuse in nursing homes in America may suggest that nursing homes are a common source of elderly abuse, the data on abuse suggests that in most cases the abuse is inflicted by a family member or well trusted individual. The growing number of elderly over the age of 65 does have an impact on the rate of incidence of abuse in assisted care facilities. The number of elderly in nursing homes is increasing “3.2 million Americans resided in nursing homes during 2008” (National Center on Elder Abuse, 2014) And “in 2009, the National Center for Assisted Living reported that over 900,000 people nationwide lived in assisted living settings”( National Center on Elder Abuse, 2014). Data suggests one in three nursing homes have reported incidence of abuse. Studies of abuse show that the elderly abused in nursing homes only count for a small fraction of the number of elderly who suffer abuse. These statistics stated, it is clear to see the prevalence of elderly abuse.
Abuse is a deliberate action and will always violate an individual’s rights. Most abuse happens in the home setting, which is where a majority of caregiving occurs. Elder abuse can also take place in institutional settings such as retirement homes, hospice care and long-term care facilities. The majority of abusers are actually spouses or adult children, but is not limited to grandchildren and other members of family or community (Robinson, de Benedictis & Segal, 2013). The most common types of elder mistreatment are physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, or sexual. There are circumstances where financial exploitation and medical abuse are also seen.
Ageism stereotypes permit people in society to engage in negative behaviors towards the late adulthood population. Ageism occurs throughout America and seems to be considered an almost ignored method of abuse. According to Nelson, (2005) attitudes toward older people began to shift dramatically with two major developments in civilization (p. 208). The major developments Nelson referred to are the invention of the printing press and the industrial revolution. The elderly population lost social status because historical events were now able to be printed and documented more easily. The need...
Elders’ mistreatment has become a major issue to the US health care system few decades ago after the passage of Medicaid & Medicare Legislation Act under SSA Title XX that amplified the existence of human abuse (Wangmo, 2010). This research paper is to analyze the challenges of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation by the perpetrators. In the US alone, there are 700,000-1.2 million/annually elders abused but only 450,000/year new cases gets reported. The main goal is to focus on types of abuse, how to identify and prevent neglect by increasing awareness among the public, family members and health care professionals. What is the role and responsibility of a health care provider? How can someone recognize the prevalence of an elder abuse or neglect, respond to such an allegation and report to an outreach resource such as APS (Adult Protective Services)? What factors are contributors to those types of mistreatments?
Sadly, elder abuse is common when discussing the negative impacts that family caregiving might have on a senior. This often comes in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or financial abuse. All of these forms of abuse take advantage of the elderly, this is due to them being incapacitated or too weak and embarrassed to make it stop. In terms of family caregiving, neglect is the largest breach of trust. Neglect is defined as a failure to protect an elder from harm. Although caregiving is no simple job, giving the elderly the care they need is what the job entails. Often times those that are abused are most likely women. The most often abused also tend to have memory issues or are considered disabled in some way. Frail seniors that are very dependent on others to assist with daily life activities are some of the most common to become