...Elder abuse is not a new phenomenon. There is evidence of its existence centuries ago. More recent is recognition of elder abuse as a health and social problem. In the United States this first surfaced in the 1950s, but it was not until the 1980s that elder abuse “came of age” as a major concern of older Americans. However, elder abuse is not confined to a single locale. Rather, it is a global problem, found in both developed and developing countries (Antezberger, 2009). The purpose of this essay is to example the types of elder abuse, how to identify elder abuse, risk factors associated with elder abuse, reporting elder abuse and ethics associated with elder abuse in a healthcare role, specifically as a certified nurse assistant (CNA). Forms of Elder Abuse Unfortunately elder abuse can take many forms. The first form and obvious is physical abuse. Physical abuse is the use of force that causes unnecessary pain or injury, even if the reason is to help, can be regarded as abusive behavior. Physical abuse can include deliberate or inadvertent hitting, beating, pushing, kicking, pinching, burning, biting, overmedicating, under medicating, or force-feeding; improper use of physical or chemical restraints; and exposure to severe weather. Emotional or psychological abuse is a form of abuse or behaviors that causes an older adult to have fear, mental anguish or emotional pain or distress. This kind of abuse includes name-calling, intimidation, insults and threats which could lead to...
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...Elder Abuse 1. What is elder abuse? “Domestic elder abuse generally refers to any of the following types of mistreatment that are committed by someone with whom the elder has a special relationship (for example, a spouse, sibling, child, friend, or caregiver),” (Frequently asked questions, n.d.). “Institutional abuse generally refers to any of the following types of mistreatment occurring in residential facilities (such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, board and care facility, foster home, etc.) and is usually perpetrated by someone with a legal or contractual obligation to provide some element of care or protection,” (Frequently asked questions, n.d.). 2. What are the recognized types of elder abuse? The following types of abuse are commonly accepted as the major categories of elder mistreatment: * Physical Abuse—Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need. * Emotional Abuse—Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts. * Sexual Abuse—Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, coercing an elder to witness sexual behaviors. * Exploitation—Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder. * Neglect—Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder. * Abandonment—The desertion of a vulnerable...
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...enforce laws and regulations to protect our elder population with disabilities from abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial abuse. This team approach is on social casework and the services are designed to provide independent living for elderly individuals and for those elderly individuals, who are in the care of another person and to protect them from abuse. The Adult Protective Response Team was form to strengthen public policy, bring public awareness, strengthen relationship between practitioners and patience, and to provide continuous training for adult protective services caseworker. The team intends to address any form of mistreatment that is towards...
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...Social Problems 2601 “Aging Nursing Home Dysfunctions” Do you have a loved one in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or long-term care center? Do you suspect neglect or abuse happening or even worse a sudden, unexplained death? Do not allow owners of nursing homes to line their pockets with your hard earned money, while their facilities are dangerous and unsanitary for your family members. Abuse is happening everyday all over the world; senior citizens are at a vulnerable stage in life, when they may not be able to defend themselves. Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused in their own homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. If you suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally by a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver or being preyed upon financially. By learning the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and how to act on behalf of an elderly person who is being abused, you’ll not only be helping someone else but strengthening defenses against elder abuse in the future. Many early signs of elderly abuse are commonly over looked due to carelessness, lack of knowledge and many times understaffed facilities. Look out for the signs of abuse and or neglect. Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and or neglect are as followed; Visible injuries are, naturally, the type that you will pick up on right away. Examples are broken bones due to extreme falls, cuts, scars, extensive bruising and bed sores (pressure...
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...It can be stated that abuse can be conducted against the elderly when within the care of others. In this essay, I will be discussing the abuse, and the different types of mistreatment directed at the elderly in both care homes, and outside. I will be looking at what predicts elder abuse, the different types of abuse regarding some of the typologies made, the perpetrators involved, where it may occur, and the repercussions one may experience as an elder having been abused. Mistreatment can be defined as “Intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm, whether or not intended, to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other persons who stands in a trust relationship to the elder” (Bonnie and Wallace, 2003, p.39.) The concept of ‘elder abuse’ is a moderately new idea although it has been occurring since the beginning of humanity, only having been focused on in Ireland since the 1980’s. Previously, it was primarily researched in the United States of America and the UK during the 1970’s. Nowadays there is more research done on elder abuse than ever before, as it is a growing topic of discussion, along with...
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...talking about the word neglect or abuse it is usually associated with woman, children and or animals. We forget to think about elderly abuse, which is overlooked because there is plenty of elderly who can look after themselves and still be a valuable part of society, but we forget the ones who are not capable of that. This paper is about raising concern about the ethical issues of elderly being abused and mistreated. Table of Contents Introduction 4 Physical Abuse 5 PYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE 6 neglect & Financial ABUSE 6 Sexual abuse 6 scope of the problem 7 SOLUTION 8 Conclusion 8 Citations 10 Introduction Elder Abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm or loss to an older person, elder abuse can be divided into the categories of physical abuse which is physical force that results in any bodily injury or pain this can be assault battery, and inappropriate restraint. Psychological and or emotional abuse which is tearing down their self-esteem, and belittling them. Neglect which is just providing the necessities for everyday living such as food, shelter, health care or protection. Sexual abuse can also be elder abuse it is still non-consensual. Last there is exploitation which is illegal taking of senior benefits. Each year hundreds up to thousands of elders are abused, and neglected for many victims they cannot help themselves since they are older and frail. In the U.S. half a million reports of elderly abuse have reached authorities It is estimated...
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...following: Identify the types and indicators of elder abuse or maltreatment to help in the immediate referral or planning of appropriate interventions. Elder abuse or maltreatment may come in a variety of forms. The recognition of the types and indicators of elder abuse by Senior Citizens Association’s officials, trained volunteers or social worker may help in the immediate reporting and...
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...According to our textbook, elder mistreatment is “any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or other person that harms or causes risk of harm to vulnerable adult,” (Hooyman & Kiyak). Unfortunately, mistreatment to elders does occur whether we want to believe that or not, it’s true. When taking care of an elderly person, there are certain signs to watch out for, and some warning signs of abuse and/or neglect that can help a caregiver identify if one has been mistreated or not. There are many types of elder mistreatments that occur in reality. One type is physical mistreatment. Physical mistreatment is any time of infliction on an individual that causes pain or even injury. Examples of physical mistreatment include hitting/slapping...
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...Elder Abuse The fastest growing sector of our population is our seniors. It is estimated that in the next 15 years the number of seniors will double because of the aging of the baby boomer generation and the fact that we are simply living longer. As the numbers of our seniors increases so does the risk for elder abuse. Our society is scrambling to meet the needs of this new shift in the population and with it a subsequent awareness of elder abuse and neglect. Elder abuse can be defined as any abuse or neglect of older adults by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust (Center for Disease Control, 2014). Abuse can take many different forms and be interpreted in different ways but most authorities and agency recognize these as the most common forms of elder maltreatment. They are: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Psychological or Emotional Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, and Financial Abuse or Exploitation. Often someone will suffer from more than one of these types of abuses. A less commonly recognized form of abuse is Self-Neglect. “Self-neglect is characterized as the behavior of an elderly person that threatens his/her own health or safety. Self-neglect generally manifests itself in an older person as a refusal or failure to provide himself/herself with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication (when indicated), and safety precautions” (Department of Health and Human Services). Even with more awareness about...
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... 2 The thought of abuse in elderly are very disturbing but it does happen. They are very vulnerable and dependent on other people to function in everyday life. Resident abuse in nursing homes facility or home care facility is a problem all over the world, but has become less of a concern in America, because the Department of Health Services become very strict on rules and regulation for nursing home and home care. This is for the protection of elderly and to provide the best care for them and have a quality of living. Nursing homes provide best patient care and services for elder patients and well being of these residents are provided. Most of the workers in the nursing home are caring, compassionate and conscientious and help their patients in their everyday life from bathing, eating, activities, and total patient care if needed. However, some time in other facility, staff, fellow residents or sometimes visitors to the facility may be guilty of abusing patients in some point, this will cost a lot because it is a federal felony to abuse a patient and may cause jail time and penalty. Different Types of Elder Abuse: •Physical Abuse: The most common type of abuse in elderly. This is a type of abuse that the caregiver force the senior citizen to do something that the caregiver wants him to do. Physical abuse can be hitting, pushing, confining and restraining the elderly. •Emotional Abuse: This type of abuse can cause emotional stress and...
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...types of abuse and learning what the signs and symptoms are of what the older generation is experiencing, we can aid and make a positive difference in the lives of so many individuals. Strengthening our awareness and using the help and resources that are in place can aid in the defense of stopping elder abuse before it gets out of hand. Elderly people need to be educated and know their rights to stop the abuse. Caregivers whether they are related or work as medical professionals need to receive better education on how to care for the elderly. As people age they are less likely to be able to defend themselves against an abuser. Age brings on mental and physical challenges leaving openings for the elderly to have to rely on others to care for them. Unfortunately the abuse starts by overwhelmed family members or from uncaring or overworked professionals who are only there for a paycheck. Abuse can be recognized as; physical or sexual abuse, financial abuse, bullying and/or humiliation, isolation from family and friends, withholding food or medication, psychological abuse, discriminatory abuse and abusive mistreatment by an organization (Benedict, & Segal, 2008). Some indicators of physical abuse would be bruising, fractures, or possible burns. Another form of abuse would be from an emotional perspective. Noticing a change of how the older individual react, such as showing fear, depression or even their physical appearance like extreme weight loss. Physical elder abuse is not...
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...Elder Abuse According to the National Research Council (2003) elder abuse is deliberate actions that cause injury or generate serious risk of harm to a vulnerable older adult by a caregiver or other person who is in charge of the elder. In the United States, 700,000 to 1.2 million of senior are exposed to abuse and there are 450,000 new cases yearly (Bond and Butler, 2013,p.). In fact, elder abuse and neglect is a serious health care matter that must be taken in consideration by health care providers and older adult family members. Specifically the most vulnerable to abuse and neglect amongst this population are elder persons, who are socially isolated, cognitively impaired, or dependent on others for daily personal care. Moreover, older adult is primarily abused, neglected or exploited by caregiver, mostly spouses, adult, children or other family members. Also, Personal care...
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...Bumps and bruises are a part of a person’s everyday life; but how do we determine accidental from intentional abuse. All registered hygienist in the state Kansas are required to be mandatory reporters if they suspect abuse is occurring. Failure to report suspected abuse can result in major consequences. When we think about abuse we often think of children first, but abuse has no age limit. Thousands of children, adults, and elderly people are victims of abuse and neglect each year. As health care professionals it is important to know some of the key behavioral attitudes and intraoral and extraoral signs to be aware of. There are several different categories of family maltreatment, which include: physical violence, physical neglect, sexual violence, and emotion abuse. Abuse, is the non-accidental physical, emotional, or sexual act. Neglect, is the intentional or unintentional failure to provide for a...
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...Criminal Behavior August 25, 2013 Elder abuse is a serious problem in this country and around the world. The National Center for Victims of Crime (2008) reports: “In the United States, there are presently about 39 million individuals over the age of 65; the U.S. Census Bureau projects that more than 62 million Americans will be 65 or older in 2025.” In a current report, the U. S. Census Bureau (2010) reports, “Between 2010 and 2050, the United States is projected to experience rapid growth in its older population. In 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to be 88.5 million, more than double its projected population of 40.2 million in 2010.” Harvey (2008) concurs, he advises that by the year 2030, persons over sixty-five will reach eighty-five million; eight million will be over the age of eighty-five. Harvey goes on to mention, “The minority elderly may face more serious problems than the white elderly because they are sometimes less able to advocate for themselves because of cultural, language, or education barriers.” This data suggests that as the population of elderly continues to grow, so will the possibility of incidents of abuse. In a domestic environment, abuse of the elderly comes at the hands of their caretakers; this is commonly a family member. Reports of elder abuse are often met with disbelief. People do not realize it happens. Elders hesitate to talk about it; they often deny that it occurred. “Elders feel ashamed, embarrassed, and humiliated...
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...of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities every year, and millions of cases go unreported. Many elderly adults are abused in their homes, their relatives’ homes, and even in facilities that are responsible for their care. Elder abuse typically happens at the place that the senior lives. Their abusers are often adult children and other relatives such as grandchildren, spouses, or partners. However, nurses are sometimes abusers as well at institutions where long-term care is expected. When elders become less physically fit, they become subject to being bullied and attacked. When their sight and hearing isn’t as well as it once was, some people come along and take advantage of them. Elder abuse takes many different forms. Let’s discuss the most common types of abuse. Physical elder abuse is non-accidental use of force against an elderly person that results in physical injury. Not only does it include things like hitting but it also includes inappropriate use of drugs and restraints. Placing in a person under inappropriate confinement situations are also considered physical abuse to an elderly person. Emotional elder abuse happens when people speak to elderly persons in ways that cause emotional pain or distress. Humiliation and ridicule is one common form of verbal emotional abuse. Isolating an elderly person from friends, family, and activities that they are used to participating in, is a common form of nonverbal psychological elder abuse. Sexual abuse is another...
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