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.
Based on the literature review, several types of abuse have been identified: physical abuse, financial abuse, mental abuse, and sexual abuse. With these types in mind, this culminating project review and summarizes research findings characterizing the types of abuse programs available, offering an introduction to some of the programs that are intended to address these issues. In this paper, I will give a general history of elder abuse with attention to cross-cultural research. I will define the different types of elder abuse, review theories of elder abuse and summarize the literature on reported and un-reported cases of elder abuse and neglect. I will also cover case studies and describe characteristics of the types of potential offenders of elder abuse. In addition, I will describe general interview assessments questions and recommended prevention for elder abuse. Lastly, I highlighted major research gaps and future policies that are related to improving the field of elder abuse.
History
While there have been numerous studies about spouse and child abuse, there are relatively few studies on elder abuse in our society (Bonnie & Wallace, 2003). The growing problem of elder abuse and neglect was hidden away from the public eyes for many decades due to limited research studies—or recognition. Attention to elder abuse and neglect has increased in the recent yea...
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...to family members, trusted friend and caregivers, and it can be disturbing. However, different from physical abuse and neglect, financial abuse is most likely to occur with the unknowing permission of the elder person (Bonnie & Wallace, 2003).
Self-neglect is described as when an individual cannot or refuses to perform a simple task to take care of him or herself such as feeding, clothing, refusal to take prescribed medication, doing household chores, obtaining goods services and maintaining physical health (Helpgudie.Org, 2013). In the past, caregivers/providers may have lacked the basic knowledge of recognizing signs and symptoms of elder abuse. They may also be unaware that they are providing inadequate care for an elderly person. A chart is provided below to assist readers to have a better understanding and better definition of the different terminologies.
Some of these cases of abuse are done in elderly homes by family members. In the first section of the article, the authors discuss the definition of elder abuse. The authors began with the most common types of elder abuse, which are physical and neglect. Elder abuse is the intentional use of physical force that results in acute or chronic illness, bodily injury, physical pain, functional impairment, distress, or death (Choi NG & Mayer J. In summary, the rhetorical analysis essay discusses how elder abuse and neglect affect the victims physically, emotionally, and professionally.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services: National Center on Elder Abuse, mental or psychological abuse can be anything from intimidation, harassment, and even verbal abuse ("Types of Abuse," 2016). This is sad, to think, that there are elderly that are being harassed and verbally abused by those trusted to care for them. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) says ,”Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”. This is how we should be treating our elderly with kind words, and compassion this is what God would desire us to do.
To begin, “Financial abuse towards the elderly is defined as the financial exploitation of seniors because of vulnerabilities related with age”. (Crimes-of-persuasion.com). It is unfortunate that this kind of abuse can be done by someone the elders know and trust – such as, family members, visitors, nurses, social workers, or doctors. From the same website, an explanation is given on how seniors may not report such a crime for a variety of reasons. Some may be either that they are simply unaware of the situation, afraid of revenge by the abuser, or ashamed that they cannot handle the abuse in their own home themselves. It has been proven, by the Mature Market Institute, a research organization, that four out five cases of elder abuse from a financial nature are not reported because of the motives that were previously stated. Is this ...
Kemp and Mosqueda (2005) conducted a study of the effectiveness of establishing a structured outline for professionals to evaluate and detect cases of suspected financial elder abuse. The unique vulnerabilities and situational environments of older individuals increase the complexity in identifying financial exploitation. The researchers believed that “The elements of a framework can be discerned in part from the existing literature and in part from the practitioners in the field” (Kemp & Mosqueda, 2005, p. 1124). They hypothesized that eight key components are present in situations of financial abuse, and that a framework could be established to help professionals recognize, explain, and measure the circumstances of suspected financial abuse of elders (Kemp & Mosqueda, 2005).
According to Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services, there are three things that elder abuse can be classified as. It can be classified as abuse, neglect, or likelihood of serious physical harm. While all of these classifications sounds quite similar, there are some subtle differences. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services defines abuse as " the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by any person, firm, or corporation" ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d., para. 4). Elder neglect is "the failure to provide services to an eligible adult by any person, firm, or corporation with a legal or contractual duty to do so, when such failure presents either an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the client or a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm would result"("Protective Services For Adults," n.d., para. 4). Abuse, neglect, as well as likelihood of serious physical harm are all reportable by law. ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d).
Elder abuse is causing emotional, physical or sexual harm, financial exploitation, or intentional or unintentional neglect to someone of greater age, whether it be from a family member or a stranger. Elder abuse has been a social issue for many years prior to any kind of legislation being made. Victims of elder abuse are often older adults ages 60 to 75 and the person abusing the elder is usually someone the victim knows, but could be a stranger in certain cases.
Elder abuse is “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 or violates their human and civil rights” (UCD and HSE 2012). It is inappropriate actions against an older person that harms them and defys them in any way and violates them as a human being. The forms of abuse can be physical, sexual. psychological, financial or material abuse , neglect on acts of commission or discriminatory abuse.(UCD and HSE 2012). There are different kinds of abuse and abusing patterns that can happen to an elder person such as Long-term abuse, Opportunistic abuse, Situational abuse, Neglect of a person’s needs, Institutional abuse, Unacceptable forms of ‘treatments’ which include acts of punishment, racist and discriminatory practice, failure to get access to key services such as health care or any other forms of care. Mishandling of benefits or Fraud or intimidation in connection with wills, property ...
Of nursing home staff interviewed in 2004, nearly 40% admitted to committing at least one psychologically abusive act toward a resident and 10% admitted to physically abusing a resident in the preceding year.[1] Not only are nursing home residents at risk of being abused by their caretakers but they are also at risk of being restrained, which may lead to a form of abuse. With five percent of the elderly population, or one to two million instances of elder abuse occurring yearly there is no doubt that elder abuse deserves serious consideration.[2]
Elder abuse is the mistreatment towards an elderly individual over the age of 60. According to
Mature Market Institute. (2011). The MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse: Crimes of Occasion, Desperation and Predation Against America’s Elders. Retrieved December 9, 2013 from https://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/studies/2011/mmi-elder-financial-abuse.pdf
In order to understand how abuse has an effect on the elderly we must first understand the different types of elder abuse. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can aid in understanding the different forms by defining what each form entails (CDC, 2016). Physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force that results in illness, injury, pain, functional impairment, distress or even death. Neglect can be defined as failure by the
Many seniors around the world are being abused and harmed in some substantial way often by people who are directly responsible for their care (Robinson, 2016). Neglect of all forms causes harm to a patients overall well-being. Neglect happens in 60% of people and physical abuse happens to 15% of people (Franklin, 2013). There are three different types of neglect that can happen especially to the elderly. The three types of neglect are mental, emotional and physical neglect. Mental neglect, is basically ignoring or just not showing care or love for the patient. Emotional neglect is not only ignoring, but isolating the patient from others. Physical neglect which is causing physical injury to the body from rough handleing or non-supervision. Neglect is damaging not only to a body but also to the mind and over all
Child neglect is the most common form of maltreatment towards children, which may lead to various short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences. It is known to coincide with other forms of abuse and difficulties. Infants and toddlers are often the main victims of neglect.
Personally, I have come across newspaper articles reporting cases of domestic abuse. Generally, people linked domestic violence to women and children, but all too often, such atrocious acts happen to the elderly too. One example would be the elder abuse case that occurred in Nightingale Nursing Home. Three staffs were found ill-treating a 77-year-old woman by throwing her onto her bed and even slapped her, which resulted in a huge commotion. (Chong, 2012) These elderly have worked hard for their most of their lives and should be allowed to enjoy their golden years after retiring. Instead, they are often mistreated especially by the people they trust most; their children and care-givers. Most of the time, victims do not report these ill-treatment “out of fear of rejection and disruption of their lives; some out of pride, embarrassment or shame; some out of concern about their family’s privacy and some out of concern that legal action might be taken against the alleged abuser. Others feel that they deserve the mistreatment and resign to it fatalistically.” (Understanding Elder Abuse and Neglect, n.d., p.13). Assumptions that the public including myself have for this group are that they are weak, defenseless and trusting. Some of the elderly are either ph...
Child abuse is a very serious problem that continues to happen all over the world. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, defines child abuse as a failure to act as a parent or caregiver which results in physical/emotional harm, sexual abuse, and in some cases death. There are many different types of child abuse such as emotional, physical, neglect, and sexual. With each type of abuse there are warning signs you can spot before it is too late. When a child is abused there is a huge possibility that it can cause them to have many long term effects.