Academic Examples

It important for healthcare workers to be aware of elder abuse and neglect. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, in 2010 5.8 million people 85 or older made up the population in the US; by 2050, it is already calculated that there will be 19 million people from the age 85 and older (National Center on Elder Abuse, NCEA). It is also forecasted that People 65 and older will make up 20% of the total US population by 2050 (National Center on Elder Abuse, NCEA).  The effect of abuse, neglect, and exploitation has a deep financial cost. The medical costs for older adults who suffered severe injuries was an estimate of over $5.3 billion in 2009, and those who were victims of financial exploitation had an estimate of 2.9 billion annual financial loss, which is an increase of 12% from 2008 (National Center on Elder Abuse, NCEA).  Elder abuse and neglect is defined as a harm cause intentionally or an intentional action where an older adult is exposed to being attacked by a caregiver (National Center on Elder Abuse, NCEA). If a caregiver fails to satisfy an elder’s basic needs or protect him or her from harm it is also considered as abuse and neglect. Older adults suffer physical, psychological and emotional effects when they are abused and neglected. The physical effects they face are bruises, lacerations, dental problems, broken bones, head injuries, pressure ulcers, nutrition and hydration issues, increased susceptibility to new illnesses which include sexually transmitted diseases, exacerbation of preexisting health conditions, increased risk of premature death. Some of the psychological effects are increased risks for developing fear and anxiety reactions, feelings of being helpless, post traumatic stress syndrome (CDC, 2013). Older adults who are being abused show emotional signs such as threatening people, belittling other patients or residents, behavior that imitates dementia such as rocking, sucking or mumbling to self (Robinson & Segal, 2013). It is important for a health care worker to monitor and assess their patients for these signs of abuse and neglect.

Taking care of someone with a chronic or sometimes acute health condition can be draining. Caregiving for a condition like dementia involve around-the-clock supervision, and the need to cope with disturbing behaviors (American Psychological Association, 2013). Health care workers should always keep in mind to ask caregivers how they are coping and juggling between taking care of their family and the older person. Substance abuse can also get in the way of a caregiver’s ability to provide adequate care to an older adult whose health condition is very demanding.  Substance abuse leads to financial abuse because the caregiver is having problems financially to maintain the substance abuse habit (OCDV, 2013). Older adults do not seek help when they are getting abused because they are ashamed of reporting a family member or he or she is simply worried of who will take care of him or her when the person is gone (Robinson &Segal, 2013). If the older adult abused the caregiver as a child, it is likely that the older adult will be abused by the caregiver as a revenge (American Psychological Association).  Sometimes we do not want to believe that someone is capable of abusing and neglecting an older adult or we know it is happening but decide not to speak up in fear of what will happen to the person who is causing the abuse.

Health care workers need to be more active in taking steps to protect the elderly from being abused and neglected. Taking an early action is always better than watching to see if the abuser will change or hope that the abuser will have a change of heart. It is also important to listen attentively when an older person is talking. Any referrals to abuse and neglect should be followed up for confirmation. Young or old, we all need to live with honor and esteem.

 

 

 

References

Hardin, E., Khan-Hudson, A. (2005). Elder Abuse—“Society’s dilemma.” Journal of the National Medical Association, 97(1), 91-94. Retrieved July 31, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc2568566/

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (2013). Retrieved August 2, 2013, from http://www.nyc.gov/html/ocdv/issues/elder.shtml

Mosqueda, L., Tworney, M. (2013). Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved August 1, 2013, from http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/features/laura_moaqueda.asp

Robinson, L., Saisan, J., Segal, J. (2013). Elder Abuse and Neglect: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Reporting Abuse. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm

Statistics/Data. Retrieved July 31, 2013, from http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/library/date/index.aspx

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