INTROCUCTION The elderly population has been steadily rising as the generation known as the “Baby Boomers” matures. In 2010 the United States census reported the proportion of people age 65 and older to be approximately 40.3 million, or thirteen percent (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). This trend is predicted to continue and by 2050 it is estimated that over twenty percent of the United States population will be over the age of 65. In addition, the fastest growing segment of this population will consist of those over the age of 85, or approximately 19 million people (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Due to the increase of elderly people in the population the potential for mistreatment and abuse has …show more content…
Elders who are abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who had not been abused. The impact is felt even by those seniors who were moderately abused. Research has also demonstrated that seniors who are abused suffer from increased levels of psychological distress and have decreased levels of confidence and self-sufficiency as compared to those not abused (Comijs, Penninx, Knipscheer, & van Tilburg, 1999). Additionally, victims also have a higher incidence of health related problems to include: bone and joint disorders, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, mental health problems, chronic pain, high blood pressure, and heart problems (Coker, Davis, Arias, Desai, Sanderson, Brandt, 2002). Victims of elder abuse also represent a significant financial cost of 5 billion dollars annually due to increased utilization of health services. In addition to medical expenses it is estimated that financial loss due to exploitation was estimated to be $2.9 billion in 2009, a 12% increase compared to 2008 (National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Virginia Tech, Metlife Mature Market Institute,
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.
Rodríguez, M. A., Wallace, S. P., Woolf, N. H., & Mangione, C. M. (2006). Mandatory reporting of elder abuse: Between a rock and a hard place. Annals of Family Medicine, 4(5), 403-409. doi:10.1370/afm.575
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 ...
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).
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
There has been an increase in the number of elderly that have been subjected to violence and mistreatment. This type of treatment is associated with the individual’s dependency on others; whether it be a relative, acquaintance and/or institution (Meadows, 2010). According to estimates “between 1 and 2 million Americans aged 65 years or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for case or protection (National Research Council Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of elder abuse and neglect, 2003)” (Meadows, 2010, p. 87). The type of abuse that elderly get subjected to is not only physical, it may also be emotional. Obviously, abuse may take on many different forms and may include: financial abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. This abuse is not limited to certain circumstances it can happen in poor, middle-class or upper income household. This includes a variety of demographs and ethnicities (Meadows, 2010). Anyone may potential cause abuse and/or neglect.
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
Elderly abuse should be a crime that is made into a law. Once someone create the act of abusing an elderly, they should be taken into custody to be taken to jail. Elderly abuse is crucial and people should understand they are human beings. Financial abuse is one of the worst abuses in assisted living facilities. Everythin...
Elderly abuse is defined as “any deliberate action or lack of action that causes harm to an older adult.” (Brownridge 55) It may take the form of: physical, financial, neglect, or psychological abuse. (Maclean 7-23) Statistics show that abuse towards the elderly is a substantial problem: A 1989 survey of 2000 elderly persons from private house holds found that 4% of the people reported being abused. (Health Canada) This is the equivalent of 98,000 elderly people in Canada. Financial abuse was the highest with 60,000 elders being affected, and psychosocial abuse is second affecting 30,000 elders. These shocking statistics are, believe it or not, understated due to lack of research. Elderly Canadians will always be a component of our society, and due to new medical breakthroughs they will be an increasing sector of the population. More specific laws, stricter enforcement of existing laws, and strategies for increased research and awareness need to be implemented in order to combat the increasing problem of elderly abuse in Canadian society.
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
Elder abuse consists of physical abuse, neglect of food or shelter or abandonment (PSYC 426: Holstein & Waymack, 2011). American older adults are being abuse by their caregiver as well staff in a nursing home. An example of a protective service about elder abuse was stated on the National Council on Aging to help prevent elder abuse in the aging population through the Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act of 2013. However, as the older adult population continues to live longer, there will be a problem with elder abuse and neglect (PSYC 426: Stone,
While the law requires reporting if a person is suffering from abuse or not, most health care professionals consider the broader context of the patient before reporting. (Daly, Schmeidel Klein, & Jogerst, 2012) Lack of trust in the reporting system is another reason of why unreported cases of elderly abuse exist. Many institutions, such as Adult Protective Services (APS), have laws which provide immunity from liability for those who report. On the other hand, some health care professionals recognize that fear of liability keeps them from reporting, except in cases of absolute evidence. (Daly, Schmeidel Klein, & Jogerst, 2012)
Many of our elders are abused or neglected. Elder abuse is any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a family member or other caregiver that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an elderly person as defined by (Thobaben). In her article “How Many of the Elderly are Abused or Neglected?” Mari Jensen states that an estimated 1 million to 2 million elderly people are victims of abuse or neglect. This problem received the name of “granny bettering” when it first hit the news in 1978. However, there is a big absence of exploration into abuse of the elderly. Our elders are our past and we will all be affected by this abuse in one way or another. Neglect is when certain provisions such as food and clothing are withheld from people who
The perpetrators of elderly abuse typically care for the victim, whether it be a family member or a caregiver from a nursing or assisted care facility. However, data from The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study 1998 characterized the perpetrators as being family members in “nine out of ten (89.7 percent) substantiated incidents of domestic elder abuse and neglect” (The Administration for Children and Families & The Administration on Aging, 1998). The report continues by stating that “Adult children of elder abuse victims were the most likely perpetrators of substantiated maltreatment (47.3 percent)” (The Administration for Children and Families & The Administration on Aging, 1998).
Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities”. Throughout the article, Elder Justice Initiative, Bethesda Pike informs the reader of the several forms of abuse such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect or abandonment and financial abuse. Pike also discusses the signs of abuse which includes unexplained bruises, burns, and injuries. In Elder Abuse, Sharon Wallace Stark presents the need for an increased awareness of elder abuse, identification of its signs and symptoms, and prevention initiatives. The reader is informed of the unreported abuse of the elderly and health care providers are stressed to know their responsibility to report the abuse. Although every state in the United States defines elder abuse, Stark acknowledges the inconsistency of the laws and definition of abuse among states. For example, the Adult Protective Services (APS) is available in every state, but assistance is only provided when the victim agrees or is shown mentally incapable to make decisions by the