Elder Abuse in Health Care Facilities

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“Jane, I don’t want to be here anymore! Can’t I just go home?” Jane had heard this so many times from her 94 year old mother, Betty. Betty had Alzheimer’s and often said things that made no sense. As a result, Jane usually did not take what her mother said seriously. Jane was becoming slightly suspicious, though. Betty had said it so many times it almost seemed like she really had a legitimate reason to leave. Wanting to reassure herself, Jane hid a camera in a teddy bear that sat on Betty’s nightstand. Two weeks later Jane decided to watch what the camera had captured. To her horror, she saw a nurse aide throw her mother onto the bed and act very disrespectful toward her. The aide seemed to have no conscience as they cared for Betty. Jane was completely shocked. How could this happen? Although this is an extreme case, there are many instances throughout the United States of elder abuse and many go unnoticed. Elder abuse can be prevented with the use of cameras in long-term care facilities. There are many different types of elder abuse. Abuse can range from physically hitting or inflicting pain upon a resident to simply neglecting to perform an essential task or stealing their possessions or money. Elder abuse usually happens in long-term care facilities, though it can happen in the residents own home as well. According to the National Center of Elder Abuse, only one in fourteen cases of elder abuse are ever reported to authorities (“15 Questions”). That means that there are thousands of elders being abused without anybody knowing or standing up for them. Personally, I would never want to put my parents in a facility simply because I would not have the confidence that they would be taken care of with the same am... ... middle of paper ... ...will be able to deal with elder abuse properly and the overall cases of elder abuse will decrease. This action must be taken in order to protect our elders. Works Cited Broyles, John. "The Silenced Voice Speaks Out." Atlanta Legal Aid Society (2005). Web. 16 Mar. 2014. Hoffman, Jan. “Watchful Eye in Nursing Homes.” New York Times, ed. 19 Nov. 2013. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Martin, Jean. Personal Interview. 15 Feb. 2014. Reutter, Mark. “Use of Cameras to Monitor Nursing-Home Care is Subject of Controversy.” News Bureau University of Illinois, 27 July 2004. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. Schrade, Brad. “’Granny Cams’ Catching on as Tool to Deter Elder Abuse.” Star Tribune, 19 Sep. 2011. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. "15 Questions and Answers on Elder Abuse." National Center on Elder Abuse (2005): 1-13. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.

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