Elder Abuse

ELDERLY ABUSE

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?
The National Research Council reports abuse as: an intentional action of any physical act that cause pain or injury, inflicting emotional distress/psychological harm, sexual harassment, financial exploitation and neglect (Bonnie & Wallace, 2003, pg.35). As elders are aging, they become more vulnerable to mistreatment due to arise health condition, such as cognitive impairment and physical decline. Due to the lack of data collecting agency and the absence of National US report, it is a continuum debate over the accuracy and statistics of elder abuse incidents. National Academy of science reported that only 1 out of 14 abuse cases are classified for a further investigation and only 1 out 24 cases gets reported. According to the “Census Bureau”, as of 2010 people 65 year ˃ has ↑ to a 13%...

... middle of paper ...

...a significant compassion analyzing the severity of elder abuse, neglect and mistreatment in the US. Their studies findings were based on forensic investigation, surveys of the victims, APS and outreach program and NCEA cases. A research is more needed to analyze the intensity and risk interventions programs associated with the specific subtypes of abuse or neglect. The articles were easy readable with a clear point of view by informing the readers of elder abuse, who might not have been aware of this debate issue.
The role of any health care professional or caregiver were emphasized as being the responsibility of everyone and by the law to: participate, identify signs, get educated, report, prevent and support the law enforcement to protect the elder victim and punish their perpetrator who run free within the community targeting their next victim.