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. The impacts of abuse on elderly are detrimental. The unfortunate truth is that many do not concern themselves with the abuse of elderly like they would the abuse of children. In recent studies it was shown that, “elders who experienced abuse, even modest abuse, had a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who had not been abused” (National Center on Elder Abuse, 2014). These elderly victims are in great danger in a physiological aspect as well. Some research shows signs of increased symptoms of anxiety, learned helplessness, and post-traumatic. There are numerous signs of elder abuse. Physical abuse can ... ... middle of paper ... ... or even notice signals of abuse. America has the most advanced national response to this abuse so far. In 1987 the Older Americans Act was amended to account for the abuse and to raise awareness. The National Center on Elder Abuse gives assistance and small amounts of funding to the different states for their services of elder abuse prevention. APS (Adult Protective Services) is the primary public agency as stated on the Administration of Aging’s website who is “responsible both for investigating reported cases of elder and vulnerable adult abuse and for providing victims with treatment and protective services”(Administration for Children and Families 2014). Typically, the Adult Protective Services Unit, Area Agency on Aging, or County Department of Social Services is agency designated to receive and investigate claims and accusations of elder abuse and neglect.
As you can see, I am not elderly and I have not experienced elder abuse personally, but I am a concerned American. The aging
"Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions." Http://www.apa.org. American Psychological Association, 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
Elder Abuse is defined as any activity performed by an individual whereby these actions cause suffering of the older adult, intentionally or not (Touhy, Jett, Boscart & McCleary, 2012, p. 378). Unfortunately, the incidents of elder abuse continue to rise with the increasing number of people entering older adulthood. It is interesting to note that although elder abuse is highly under reported its occurrence increased three fold over a ten-year period (Friese & Collopy, 2010, p. 61). Certainly, it is a nurse’s duty to provide holistic care to his or her patients, which must include protection from abuse. Elder abuse can take on many forms including physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and financial. It is important to note that for the purposes of this paper, this writer will focus solely on financial abuse. When one considers the definition of financial abuse, it is deemed to be a misuse of another individual’s finances for ones own monetary gain. Thus, this type of abuse has become the most common and fastest growing form of all. As such, it is important for all nurses to understand financial abuse and who is at risk, how it presents, and what can be done to prevent it in order to protect the elderly.
Elder abuse in nursing home is a social problem that has had more and more attention in these recent years. “Elder abuse is the most recent domestic violence issue to gain the attention of the public and the medical community.” (Elder Abuse: A Review) According to the Senate Special Committee, about 5 “million older Americans are abused and neglected every year.” Abuse for the elderly can be considered a social problem due to the people who are in denial of it actually occurring, for example, the caregivers and nurses who do not consider themselves to be actually performing the abuse. It is a problem because the elders are put into these nursing homes by loved ones and ones who
The number of elders who are abused in this country and around the world each day is growing at an astonishing rate be it from individuals or institutions. As many as one in ten older adults and one in two people with dementia are victims of elder abuse. Unfortunately, for every case that gets reported there are 23 that go unreported. ("Get Info," 2014) as you can see from the statistics elder abuse is not uncommon in the United States. Any elder has the potential of being physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially abused by another individual. Elders can also cause harm to themselves by neglecting their daily needs. At St. Rita’s nursing home, during Katrina, thirty-five elderly residents were trapped inside all eventually drowning in their wheelchairs and beds.
Population ageing is currently one of the most significant demographic trends and becoming a worldwide problem(cite) specially among the elderly who are often the most recognized and forgotten group in this analysis. They are recognized as the ’elder’ the wisest, and perhaps the most knowledgeable about life and its experiences. This population however, is forgotten in terms of the respect and value it once contributed to society. And in today’s world this group is often marginalized because of age. The older they get, the more useless they become in the eyes of society and thus this attitude viewed towards the elderly leads to neglect and abuse. They are therefore excluded from the active participation, and decision making in society. This isolated group is thus discriminated against on the basis of age and gender which can be referred to factors such as ageism and sexism. Nevertheless, these factors not only attribute to elder abuse but are viewed differently within subcultures. Therefore, it is important to examine why elder abuse occurs and what are its consequences in the context of human rights agenda.
The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes is underreported, unrecognized, and hidden (Ben Natan & Tabak, 2013; Falk et al. 2012; Norris, Power, Fancey, & Ross, 2013). According to Norris et al. (2013), several methodological challenges affect the research on elder abuse and neglect. Additionally, there are different state laws and legislatures regarding the definition, protocols for reporting, screening, assessment, and measurement of elder abuse and neglect (Ben Natan & Tabak, 2013; Falk et al. 2012; Norris et al. 2013). According to Ben Natan and Tabak (2013) and Bloemen, Rosen, Clark, Nash, and Mielenz (2015) the actual reported cases of elder abuse and neglect is only a fraction of the total unreported elder abuse or neglect cases in nursing homes. However, the reported rates of elder abuse and neglect to long-term care ombudsman and/or other authorities has remained constant despite the recent increases in intervention and prevention
America's burgeoning elder population has affected every segment of the social, political, and economic landscape. Public debate of the issues surrounding the special needs of the approximately 44 million persons in this country age 60 years and over has heightened national awareness and concern. As a result, public policies relating to issues such as retirement security, affordable long-term care, and quality of life are changing to meet the unique needs of the aging population. Yet, as the public looks toward improving the lives of the elderly, abuse and neglect of elders living in their own homes have gone largely unidentified and unnoticed. The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study has shed new light on this significant problem with the finding that approximately 450,000 elderly persons in domestic settings were abused and/or neglected during 1996. When elderly persons who experienced self-neglect are added, the number increases to approximately 551,000 in 1996. Additionally, through this study we have learned that:
Elder abuse is a controlling behaviour or action which frightens or intimidates and is illegal. It can occur at any time and be subtle to extreme. Elder abuse is mistreatment of an older person that is committed by someone with whom the older person has a relationship of trust such as a partner, family member, friend or carer. Elder abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. Elder abuse violates an older person’s basic right to feel safe.
All in all, no human being has the right to receive an unfair treatment, much less those who are more vulnerable. It can exist various forms to prevent elder abuse, but not all of them are efficient. They still can give some help, but they cannot reach the eradication of the problem. However, we can start to reduce and regulate the situation better with little steps that can be a simple conversation or support not only with the person who is being abused but with everyone in order to educate them so they can start to take action and know how to defend them.
Elder abuse and neglect is a growing problem in our society. It is often left unnoticed because of limited research and many unreported cases of elder abuse and neglect. Seniors are often targeted for abuse because they are isolated, lonely, and unaware of services available to them. In some cases, they are afraid to speak up in fear of retaliation and humiliation.
Lack of supervision by families, managers of the institution, and medical staff is another factor that causes elderly abuse. Sometimes families leave their parents in nursing homes with the assumption that they are in better hands. It is important to visit and talk to the elderly every single time that they see them. Most people don’t even know that their parents are suffering from abuse until something bad happens to them. Families usually trust nurses in the care of their loved ones, but it is necessary to be aware of what care the
and reported an occurrence of abuse towards a resident (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012). This study randomly selected participants for a phone survey from a list of individuals who had a loved one living in a nursing home (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).). The participant sample included 452 older adults who were living in a nursing home (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).). Family members reported that 110 of the older adult participants had experienced some form of physical abuse, which was almost twenty-five percent of the sample (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).) Sexual and physical abuse are just two types of abuse that older adults in nursing homes could potentially experience. It is important that older adults feel safe and have the resources
Neglect in elder can occur when caregiver fails to provide basic needs of them which includes, food, clothing, medications, or home for older people. Physical abuse of elder can be such as: hitting, burning, pushing and molesting. And Emotional abuse is when caregivers are using threats, intimidations, verbal abuse or isolation. “As nurses, we have ethical and legal responsibilities to report elder abuse as we are mandated reporters” (Touhy & Jett, 2016, p. 424). As nurses, we have to be vigilant for all this signs and symptoms and screen for elder abuse and neglect and if abuse is witnessed or possible suspicion of abuse we need to report immediately to ombudsman or Adult Protective Services. In my job area, I have not seen an abuse, However, I want to be a nurse who will be an advocate for any of my patients especially elders and very young patients who can’t stand up for themselves, frail, week and been
Elderly abuse focuses on the victimization on the elderly by any type of crime that will cause them harm. Child abuse and elderly abuse involve similar types of abuse including: neglect, psychological, physical, and sexual. Like neglect in children, neglect in the elderly is when a caregiver fails to provide food, shelter or medical care for them. Psychological abuse may include words or behaviors that intentionally humiliate an elderly person and like psychological abuse in children, it sends the terrorizing message that the person is unloved or unwanted. Both children and the elderly both face the same type of offenders, which are mostly to be from family. Most interpersonal crimes, such as sexual assault or violence, are often committed