Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Theories of elder abuse essay
Causes and consequences of elderly abuse
Elder abuse introduction
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Theories of elder abuse essay
Introduction
When 911 is called regarding an elderly person getting hurt, paramedics are first on the scene. Paramedics need the better training for recognizing, reporting and stopping the cycle of elder abuse. According to Elder abuse Ontario, there are over 2 million elders over the age of 65. Two to ten percent of seniors are abused meaning that there are between 40,000 and 200,000 seniors living in Ontario who have experienced or are experiencing elder abuse (Elder abuse Ontario, 2017).
Background
Elder abuse is the mistreatment towards an elderly individual over the age of 60. According to the Administration on Aging, there are seven basic types of elder abuse: physical, sexual, neglect, exploitation, emotional, abandonment, and
…show more content…
There are many reasons for emergency responders failing to report elder abuse such as, they are unclear of the definition of abuse, they are unaware of reporting law, they lack the information about which authority to report to and they may have concerns regarding anonymity. Ninety-five percent of the respondents of a survey stated that training related to elder abuse was not available through their Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency (Seamon, 1996). In the BLS, it states different ways to manage elder abuse but the descriptions are very brief. Some things it says to do is to alert the hospital staff of any suspicions or to fill out an incident report. A report from the National Institutes of Health suggested that “paramedics and EMT’s lack complete understanding of their role in the identification and reporting of elder abuse” (Walton law firm, …show more content…
(2015). Gale Encyclopedia of Senior Health. Retrieved from http://galenet.galegroup.com.eztest.ocls.ca/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&rlt=1&o=&bucket=ref&n=10&l=d&searchTerm=2NTA&index=BA&basicSearchOption=KE&tcit=1_1_0_1_1_1&c=1&docNum=CX3622400261&locID=ko_acd_lac&secondary=false&t=RK&s=1&SU=Elder+abuse&finalAuth=true&userGroupName=ko_acd_lac
Friese, G. & Collopy, K.T. (2010). Geriatric Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.emsworld.com/article/10319448/geriatric-abuse
Nurse fired over elder abuse accusations. (2014, October 21). Legal Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from http://galenet.galegroup.com.eztest.ocls.ca/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&rlt=1&o=&bucket=ref&n=10&l=d&searchTerm=2NTA&index=BA&basicSearchOption=KE&tcit=1_1_0_1_1_1&c=9&docNum=A386728672&locID=ko_acd_lac&secondary=false&t=RK&s=1&SU=Elder+abuse
Paradise, L.A & Longe, J.L. (2009). Elder Abuse. Retrieved from
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.
I have taken a training on mandatory reporting every year as it is required by the agencies I have worked for. As a result, I did not learn anything new from this particular training. However it serves as a reminder of my duty to report and the importance of such a duty in the work that we do. What I would like to see is a training on reporting for adults who are at risk, particularly the elderly and/or adults with a serious mental illness that have a guardian or live in assisted living. I do not know if the mandatory reporting laws extend to cover adults however I feel that if social workers suspect abuse, especially amongst at risk adults such as the elderly or seriously mentally ill, these suspicions should be reported to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services much in the same way as mandated for suspected abuse of
In the medical field, the workers are highly trained to be able to make a distinction between what is right and what is wrong. Elder abuse is becoming a serious issue in the health environment. As defined in the website, MedicineNet.com, elder abuse is: “the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of an elderly person, usually one who is disabled or frail”. The older population consists of people over sixty-five years old. They are very fragile and sometimes they are forgotten or abused. The elderly can be victims of mistreatment in nursing homes, hospitals, or even in their own house. Nursing is the act of promoting health for others, and of providing care and security with the skills nurses have acquired. However, those who are nursing can also harm, or hurt people by advising them. Elder abuse can take many forms such as financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.
I will be describing the first three. Emotional Abuse (also known as: Verbal abuse, mental abuse, and psychological cruelty) includes acts or the failures to act by parents or caretakers that have caused or could cause serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional or mental disorders. This can include parents and/or caretakers using extreme or bizarre forms of punishment, such as the child being confined in a closet or dark room, being tied to a chair for long periods of time, or threatening or terrorizing a young child. Less severe acts, but no less damaging, are overly negative criticism or rejecting treatment, using degrading terms to describe the child, constant victimizing or blaming the child for situations. Neglect (the failure to provide for the child?s basic needs) can be physical, educational, or emotional.
Though elderly abuse occurs in many nursing homes, it is preventable. It is the nursing aide 's responsibility to provide quality and comfortable care, free from abuse. Many people are not aware that there are several other types of abuse in addition to physical abuse and many are not aware of the signs. If abuse should occur, anyone who suspects or witnesses the abuse is responsible for reporting it. Knowing the types of abuse, being aware of the signs, and reporting incidents are all ways to prevent abuse in nursing homes.
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]
There are currently two important pieces of legislation that address elder abuse issues. The Older Americans Act must submit to a reauthorization process every five years. Throughout the years there have been many adaptations to the act. Presently, there are four sections that apply to elder abuse primarily in the form of research processes, grant eligibili...
Elderly adults face an abundant amount of abuse in many healthcare settings. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is defined as, “intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or “trusted” individual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder” (NCEA, 2017, p. 2). Elder abuse can possess many forms, including physical abuse, neglect, emotional or psychological abuse, financial abuse or exploitation, sexual abuse, and abandonment. (NCEA, 2017, p. 2). This abuse can take place in many settings that house seniors, age 65 years old and up regardless of age, sex, or race. These senior care facilities can include, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and/or senior day care
Sometimes there are instances of elder abuse and neglect that must be dealt with. In the United States there are laws that focus on this issue. There are many different types of elder mistreatment and this is defined as deliberate behavior intended to harm (Elder Mistreatment: Overview, 2013). This act is not only morally wrong, but can invoke criminal fines, lost of licensure, and imprisonment. The process of identifying and reporting this mistreatment is complicated and not often done.
I assumed responsibility as me and my friend walked home one night. We noticed a small crowd surrounding a man who was lying in the middle of the sidewalk. He appeared unconscious and did not respond to by standers attempting to physically wake him up. My friend was hesitant and insisted to cross the street, to avoid any “problems”. I initially agreed with my friend, but thought to myself there may be something seriously wrong. As we approached him, someone stated that he may not have a pulse. I checked his carotid and radial and did not feel anything. Prior to this incident, I had only been on one cardiac arrest call. I immediately told the nearest person to call 911. I instructed my friend to go across the street to the Shoprite and ask security for an AED. I began compressions and continued CPR with security from Shoprite as we waited for EMS to arrive. At the time, I was still a new EMT riding as a third for my local volunteer squad. This particular incident allowed me to take charge of the situation, rather than having a senior EMS member to help