Elder Abuse Elder Abuse Is The Intentional Action Which Infringes Har ✓ Solved
Elder Abuse Elder abuse is the intentional action which infringes harm or develops a dangerous risk of harm among the elderly. Elder abuse involves the failure of the caregivers to meet the elder’s basic needs and also safeguard the elder from harm. -More than 18, 000 elderly individuals in Canada are subjected to more than one form of abuse. -About 4% of elders in Canadian Private dwellings have been abused. Effects of Elder Abuse • Physiological Distress • Depression • Fear • Anxiety o Chronic pain Causes of Elder Abuse • Lack of social support • Family stress • Cultural issues • Persistence of domestic violence Types of Elder Abuse • Physical abuse • Verbal abuse • Emotional abuse • Sexual abuse How to prevent Elder Abuse • Building supports to keep the community safe • Increase funding • Supporting primary caregivers • Keeping the elders active • Protecting elders from high-risk caregivers Elder Abuse Jamiah Riddick Walden University FPSY - 6206; Family Violence Dr.
Millimen March 15th, 2021 Introduction Elder abuse is the intentional action that infringes harm or develops a fatal risk of harm. It is as well the failure by the caregivers to meet the elder’s basic needs or to safeguard the elder from harm. There has been limited research that has been conducted on elder abuse (Daly, Merchant & Jogerst, 2016). This study will major on elder abuse as well as the different ways that can be used to handle elder abuse. Methods To identify the current status as well as quality of elder abuse study, a well-detailed research of health science literature was carried out and every article was graded.
All literature searches were carried out from the inception of every index through March 10, 2014 (Daly, Merchant & Jogerst, 2016). Results The majority of the elderly have suffered from abuse. In a period of 10 months, 40 cases, 51% had been physically abused, 10% had hearing as well as visual impairment and 41% were physically abused (Daly, Merchant & Jogerst, 2016). The most common form of abuse among these individuals was physical, psychological as well as material abuse. Discussion Based on the study, elder abuse is a worldwide public health as well as human right issue and the abuse of old individuals are related to inappropriate health outcomes from minor injuries to disabilities, long-lasting psychological issues, suicide, and maximized risk of being hospitalized (Daly, Merchant & Jogerst, 2016).
Elderly abuse can be handled through counseling, adult day care programs, educating people on how to recognize and report elder abuse, and listening to the older people and their caregivers to understand their challenges and give support. Conclusion The older adult population is increasing at a high rate in the U.S. in comparison to the younger people. many older individuals need care and are vulnerable to violence from their caregivers. References Daly, J., Merchant, M., & Jogerst, G. (2016). Elder Abuse Research: A Systematic Review. J Elder Abuse Negl.,23 (4), . doi: 10.1080/.2011.
Elder Abuse Jamiah Riddick Walden University FPSY – 6206; Family Violence Dr. Millimen April 2nd, 2021 Introduction Elder abuse refers to the intentional action which infringes harm or develops a dangerous risk of harm among the elderly. It involves the failure of the caregivers to meet the elder’s basic needs as well as safeguard the elder from harm. Relevant statistics Most of the elder people have suffered from abuse. In 10 months, 40 cases, 51% had been physically abused, 10% had a hearing and visual impairment and 41% had been physically abused.
Current trends Currently, the elderly population in the world makes up 15% of the total population. Projections anticipant the number of elderly may continue growing in the coming years. Elder abuse mainly involves caregiver neglect, financial fraud, sexual abuse, and physical abuse (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017). Impact to both the victim and perpetrator Elder abuse mainly leads to injuries, welts, and wounds are common (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017). Seniors may experience disturbed sleep, dehydration, malnutrition, depression, and an increased need for medical care.
The perpetrator may suffer from the guilt of abusing the elderly (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017). Impact on the community Elder abuse impacts society as a whole. Older abuse that has been abused lose their capability to live independently and may require ongoing support from the health industry. Elder abuse as well ruins family relationships. Family members at times experience guilt if they choose a nursing home for an abused relative.
Legal implications Some of the legal implications that are associated with elder abuse include adult protective services, aging and disability services, and the civil justice system. Lawyers should aid in preventing elder abuse (CDC, 2020). Prevention techniques include educating older people as well as other individuals through presentation and material, counseling clients on vulnerability, and recommending the clients on ways to reduce abuse and enhance detection. Resources and agencies to help a victim Some of the healthcare agencies that aid in preventing elder abuse include the elder justice coalition, The Eldercare Locator, MARICOPA Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Ageless Alliance, and Administration on Community Living.
What a Person can help in Elder Abuse In the case of elder abuse one can aid in managing this issue by reporting abuse of suspected abuse to adult protective services; listen to older adult as well as their caregivers to understand their issues and give support (CDC, 2020). One can as well encourage and help people having issues with drug or alcohol abuse in getting assistance (CDC, 2020). Relevant Photographs References CDC. 2020. Violence Abuse.
Retrieved from National Center on Law & Elder Rights. 2017. Legal Basics: Elder Abuse. Retrieved from
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Introduction
Elder abuse refers to any intentional action causing harm or creating a situation of potential harm to elderly individuals. It encompasses physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect (Daly, Merchant, & Jogerst, 2016). Reports indicate that more than 18,000 elderly individuals in Canada experience various forms of abuse, with approximately 4% of seniors in private dwellings subjected to abuse (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017). This alarming statistic calls for a thorough understanding of the effects, causes, and preventive measures associated with elder abuse.
Effects of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can lead to severe consequences for the victims and often leaves them in vulnerable situations. The effects are not solely physical; they also encompass emotional and psychological trauma.
Physiological Distress
Physical abuse may leave visible marks, injuries, or wounds, leading to chronic pain and other health complications (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017). Furthermore, psychological trauma can arise in the wake of such encounters, manifesting in longer-term health issues.
Emotional Consequences
Victims often experience depression, anxiety, fear, and broken trust, which can significantly deteriorate their quality of life (Daly et al., 2016). Such emotional stress does not go unnoticed, as it may limit the ability of seniors to thrive in daily activities and social interactions (Dong & Simon, 2013).
Social Isolation
Elder abuse leads to feelings of shame and fear among victims, which can cause them to isolate themselves and withdraw from social interactions even further (Mindel & Goursky, 2011). This isolation not only increases vulnerability but also exacerbates the emotional and psychological stressors of abuse.
Causes of Elder Abuse
Understanding the causes of elder abuse is crucial in developing effective interventions. Some of the significant variables contributing to elder abuse include:
Lack of Social Support
Many older adults face social isolation and loneliness, which can lead to vulnerability and make them prime targets for abuse (Pillemer & Hudson, 2018). A lack of family or community support structures may inadvertently create an environment where abuse flourishes.
Family Stress and Economic Strain
Financial struggles often lead to caregiver stress, which in turn can result in neglectful or abusive behavior towards the elderly (Lachs & Pillemer, 2015). Unfortunately, those responsible for providing care may not have access to adequate resources or coping mechanisms.
Cultural Issues
Cultural attitudes toward aging and familial responsibility play a role in elder abuse. Societies that value youth and independence may inadvertently foster neglect and abuse of elderly individuals (Holtrop et al., 2015).
Persistence of Domestic Violence
Elder abuse may often emerge from ongoing domestic violence within the family context. Perpetrators who exhibit patterns of violence may carry those behaviors into their interactions with elderly family members (Dong et al., 2017).
Types of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can take several forms, including:
1. Physical Abuse: Involves the use of force that may result in injury (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017).
2. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Non-physical actions causing mental pain, distress, or anguish (Falk, 2013).
3. Verbal Abuse: Includes insults, threats, and harassment (Hoffman, 2019).
4. Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior with an elderly individual (SWAN, 2019).
5. Financial Exploitation: Unauthorized use or theft of an older person's financial resources (National Center on Law & Elder Rights, 2017).
6. Neglect: Failing to provide essential care or basic life necessities (Daly et al., 2016).
Prevention of Elder Abuse
Preventing elder abuse involves a multi-faceted approach incorporating education, community support, and intervention strategies
Building Community Support
Establishing support networks within communities can significantly mitigate risk factors associated with elder abuse. Community programs focused on companionship may result in healthier relationships and could ultimately reduce the chances of abuse occurring.
Educating Caregivers
Training programs for caregivers about the signs of elder abuse and ways to address their stressors effectively develop better coping mechanisms (Lachs et al., 2019).
Utilizing Resources
Encouraging the use of available resources, such as counseling and community programs, can help provide caregivers with additional support and tools to care for elderly individuals effectively.
Protecting Vulnerable Elders
Identifying and monitoring high-risk caregivers can be instrumental in preventing abuse. This may involve legal interventions, such as background checks for those working in caregiving roles (Pillemer et al., 2016).
Resources and Agencies
Several organizations aim to help in preventing elder abuse, providing resources for victims and caregivers.
- Elder Justice Coalition: Advocates for policy changes aimed at improving elder protection laws.
- The Eldercare Locator: Connects seniors and their families with local services to prevent abuse.
- Ageless Alliance: Focuses on raising awareness about elder abuse and prevention measures.
- National Center on Elder Abuse: Provides resources, training, and support for addressing elder abuse.
Conclusion
Elder abuse is an urgent matter that often goes unnoticed, impacting millions of vulnerable individuals. By recognizing the signs, understanding its profound effects, and implementing effective prevention strategies, society can work towards safeguarding our elderly population. As the older adult demographic continues to grow, collective action is necessary to address and eliminate the various forms of elder abuse.
References
1. Daly, J., Merchant, M., & Jogerst, G. (2016). Elder Abuse Research: A Systematic Review. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 23(4), 275-292. doi:10.1080/08946566.2011.588991
2. Dong, X., & Simon, M. A. (2013). A longitudinal study on elder abuse and neglect: Consequences for mental and physical health. American Journal of Public Health, 103(2), 356-361. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300420
3. Falk, R. (2013). Elder Abuse: The Hidden Crime. Journal of Aging Research, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/465748
4. Hoffman, M. (2019). Verbal abuse of the elderly in long-term care facilities: A narrative review. The Gerontologist, 59(5), 884-894. doi:10.1093/geront/gnx048
5. Holtrop, J., et al. (2015). Cultural attitudes towards aging and implications for elder abuse. The Gerontologist, 55(6), 952-961. doi:10.1093/geront/gnv023
6. Lachs, M. S., & Pillemer, K. (2015). Elder Abuse. New England Journal of Medicine, 373, 1947-1956. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1411249
7. Lachs, M. S., et al. (2019). Elder abuse and neglect: A review. JAMA Internal Medicine, 179(4), 514-525. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.7769
8. Mindel, C., & Goursky, A. (2011). Elder abuse and neglect: The role of social isolation. International Journal of Elder Law, 4(1), 117-129. doi:10.1177/1754945912428609
9. National Center on Law & Elder Rights. (2017). Legal Basics: Elder Abuse. Retrieved from [https://ncler.acl.gov](https://ncler.acl.gov)
10. Pillemer, K., et al. (2016). Promoting the physical and emotional well-being of elderly individuals: Strategies in early detection and intervention. Gerontology, 62(3), 305-316. doi:10.1159/000447273