Elder Abuse In Domestic Settings

The elderly are neglected around the world every day, and it is a problem that sometimes goes unnoticed for days, months, years and sometimes never noticed at all. The neglect can happen at home, or in a nursing home and is usually done by a caregiver. The caregiver is usually a trusted individual that has been selected by their loved ones; which is one of the reasons it happens without anyone noticing as these caregivers are trusted by family members and give the family no reason to ever suspect harm or foul played being done to their elderly loved ones when no one is around. Elderly neglect can also be defined as an elderly person who is not taking care of themselves whether done on purpose or by mistake, because they have simply just forgotten how to take care of themselves and no one is making sure that they are doing so.

Greene and Gibson state (2013, p. 163), “ elder financial abuse leaves no physical mark, is largely hidden, from public view, can occur over time, and in the context of interpersonal relationships that involve issues of entitlement and familial obligation, can be difficult to distinguish from well-intentioned but misguided advice, and sometimes lurks only in private financial records.” It is very hard to recognize elder financial abuse, as there is no clear evidence to uncovering it, unless one investigates financial records of the victim. More problematic, someone would have to make a report, which is unlikely as very few people do and sadly, victims of elder financial abuse often do not know that they are victims. According to Rabiner et al.(as cited in Gibson and Green, 2013, pp. 163-164), “Others hesitate to report because they are embarrassed or ashamed, lack understanding of protective and legal processes, are reluctant to inform on family members for fear of reprisal, or are concerned that reporting may lead to loss of independence.” The lack of reports, in regards to elder financial abuse, further highlights the necessity of awareness and services to the public and the criminal justice system.

Elder abuse isn’t an easy topic to talk about—but it happens too often to continue to turn a blind eye too. According to the National Council of Aging (2016), also known as the NCOA, one in every ten Americans, over the age of 60, have experienced some form of elder abuse, with only one in every fourteen cases being reported to authorities. NCOA (2016) defines elder abuse and neglect as “intentional actions that cause harm or creates serious risk of harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or another person in a trusted relationship” with the individual. This includes failure, of the caregiver, to satisfy the basic needs or to protect in the individual from harm along with physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation.

As described in Module 13, there are several theories that could describe the cause of elder abuse. One of the theories describes stress as a leading cause of elder abuse by stating that “stress, frustration and feelings of burden experienced by caregivers who are caring for dependent elders can result in abusive and neglectful treatment” (Loseke, pg. 192). A second theory, argues that dependency from caregivers on victims cause elder abuse and not vice versa or stress. According to Loseke, “abusers were found to be significantly more dependent on the elder,” therefore, the abuse was linked not the victim’s dependency but the abusers’ (Loseke, pg. 2150). As well, researchers failed to “support the notion that the illness and dependency of

As learned from the video clip, “Adult Protective Services & Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse,” (C-Dub Productions, 2012), elder abuse is a crime that is affecting our communities regardless of economic, language or financial status. Elders and dependent adults are among the most vulnerable. They experience all types of abuse, physical neglect, and financial scams. It is worrying that adults being as much or more exposed to abuse as children are not protected. Older people are often isolated; they do not seek help or talk about the abuse they are facing. Sometimes elders put their pride before anything else. The feeling of shame often results in elder abuse remaining hidden.

Elder abuse is a broad term that encompasses 6 different types of abuse: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Abandonment, Neglect, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, and Financial Exploitation. Of these, financial exploitation is the third most commonly substantiated type of abuse with an estimated financial loss of $2.6 Billion per year. (Elder Abuse Fact Sheet 2010) One study showed that 41 of every 1,000 residents in New York were the victim of major financial exploitation, but only 1 in 44 cases of were actually reported to the authorities. (Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc., Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, and New York City Department for the Aging 2011) What is financial exploitation and who is at risk? Why is there such a

In the United States, people with disabilities are often treated badly by the society. The reason that elders are being abused is due to the fact that they are disabled. People with disabilities cannot do things for themselves, so they rely on other people. Elders abuse come in many types of forms. For instance, it could be physical, emotional, or financial exploitation abuse. Therefore, elders need someone who they could rely on and give them the good care that they need.

Neglect is defined, “when inaction results in harm to a senior. It can involve the failure to provide assistance with basic necessities, medical care, costing, food or water shelter” (CARP, n.d., p.1). The purpose of the definition is to know what to categorize a physical and neglect abuse. Often, people don't know what the inflicting on the senior is some sort of abuse. One example provided in the CTV article, “Elder abuse needs more attention, say advocates” (2011), explains attention needed against for violence against women seniors. the In a Toronto son, and daughter-in-law is accused of keeping his elderly mother in an unheated garage which she remains in critical care in the hospital. (CTV,2011) Especially for senior’s women are at greater risk of family violence victimization is reported in Section 4: Family violence against seniors. (Taylor- butts, 2014). Another form of abuse in which the perpetrator is a family member is Financial abuse. Financial abuse is, “when a person engages in an action that decrease the financial worth of a senior without a benefit to that person. This includes fraud, theft, coercion, threats, and pressure” (CARP, n.d.,

One of the very first steps that should be taken is for an agreed-upon definition of elder maltreatment to be put into place. This definition should include specifics on the different forms of abuse, clarify different severities of abuse, as well as common signs of abuse. Because a common form of maltreatment is financial exploitation, a policy should also be set in place that says nobody, including family members and friends, can have access to the patient’s financial accounts unless the patient gives explicit permission at a time when he or she is in sound mind, which should be confirmed by a doctor. Otherwise, all assets should remain frozen until the patient recovers or passes away, which would then leave the issue in the hands of the patient’s lawyer. In order to prevent any physical, verbal, psychological, or sexual abuse a new policy should be set in place to ensure the safety of the elder that requires family members housing an elder to report it to a special agency. The sole purpose of this agency would be to periodically send social workers on announced as well as some unannounced home visits to make sure the family is taking proper care of their elder. The agency would also send a nurse to the house to check the health of the elder in an attempt to relieve some of the stress of the family. This would

Though the United States does not have the actual official statistics of the prevalence of elderly people abused, non-profit organizations estimate it to be about 4 million annually. The difficulty in listing the actual type of abuse is brought about by the diversity of abuse (Henderson, Hanson & Reynolds, 2003). Elderly abuse is classified into seven main groups. These include physical abuse that involves using force to injure or threaten an elderly people physically (Torrey, 2014). Another type of abuse is emotional abuse which involves the use of offensive language, isolation or neglecting an elderly person. This results in mental distress and other mentally related disorders (Wright & National Film Board of Canada, 1990). Sexual abuse is a form abuse that involves getting into sexual contact with an elderly person without his or her consent. Exploitation is the use of the elder’s person money without their authority. Abandonment is deserting the elderly individual into helpless and vulnerable conditions (Henderson, Hanson & Reynolds, 2003). Lastly, self-neglect is a condition where an elderly individual lacks the knowledge to deal with the condition they are exposed in by the caregivers. All these forms of abuse are present in different nursing homes in America. Though, there are numerous factors that deter whether an individual is abused or not. For

These patients pay for another person to help care for them because they cannot do so alone. The job of a health care provider is to assist and make these patients feel like they have options and help. Abusing a patient that is showing signs of depression, physically looking smaller and is defenseless is a crime but it is rarely reported due to the fear of the patient or victim. Patients cannot depend on others to meet most basic needs the ways they can do for themselves. People over 65 are easier to manipulate and difficult to prosecute. It is less likely for the victim to report the abuse happening because they fear upsetting their attacker and having more harm done. Patients may also be ashamed or embarrassed to repeat what happened to them. Abusers often tell victims it's their own fault they get abused and they threaten to do worse if anyone finds out. While researching information regarding the issue, I came across an article called "Elder Abuse & Neglect". This provided me with proof that multiple cases of emotional, sexual, physical abuse, abandonment, neglect and financial exploitation happen to these patients daily. Not only is this possible in community settings but also in the comfort of their own home. "Many seniors around the world are being abused: harmed in some substantial way often by people who are directly responsible for their care."(Segal, 2016). This quote comes directly from this sources facts supporting elderly abuse in general. Sadly, more of these cases in the U.S. go unreported than the ones which are acknowledged. In situations such as family members abusing patients, there can be alternatives such as first finding out the type of abuse and

Elder mistreatment is also called elder abuse. This could entail a single or repeated act of refusing to do something by a caregiver. Every year, hundreds of thousands of our elders are abused, neglected, and exploited. Elder abuse and neglect is more common than we think it is. Elder abuse includes intentional, unintentional and neglectful acts by family members, care givers and even close friends. Elder abuse includes physical abuse, negligence, financial exploitation, physiological abuse, and deprivation of basic necessities, isolation from friends and family and even withholding medication. Like many other forms of abuse, this type of abuse becomes a family secret. Sadly 1 out of every 10 elders are abused or neglected. We must become

During my time working in the nursing home, I’ve attended a number of in-services regarding elder abuse. Through the in-services I have attended on elder abuse I have come to understand that elder abuse can manifest in many forms including, physical, psychological or emotional, sexual, financial, and even intentional or unintentional neglect. The elderly are unfortunately extremely susceptible to all forms

Is the topic of domestic abuse against the elderly people. Most people don’t realize that the elderly are victims to this offense, their age does not prevent them to becoming a victim. However, most of the time it isn’t a partner or family member that is abusing the elders. When looking at the news, it is usually the caretaker that is causing the abuse. It’s easier for the caretaker to abuse their client because they are needed to be taken care of. They could have trouble walking or must be isolated from the outside world because they are very sick and other medical reasons (Jackson & Hafemeister, 2013). This gives the abuser an advantage because they know their client can’t seek for

Allow me to explain what financial elder abuse is. It is fraudulent acts committed by raptorial members in the society for financial gains. Per the National Committee for the prevention of the Elder Abuse they span a broader spectrum of conduct, including: Forging an elder person’s signature, getting an older person to sign a deed, will, or power of attorney, using the older person’s property or possessions without permission, promising lifelong care in exchange for money or property and not following through on the promise, and telemarketing scams.