Elderly Abuse

What are the risk factors of elder financial exploitation? In a study conducted by the University of Virginia, there are four predominant types of elder maltreatment. This includes pure financial exploitation (PFE), physical abuse, neglect by others or self, and hybrid financial exploitation (HFE). PFE is elder financial exploitation without any other abuse cited. PFE is usually conducted by unknown individuals to the elderly victim, as in mortgage or home improvement scams. HFE is a combination of elder financial exploitation that includes neglect and/or abuse. HFE usually occurs when the victim is dependent on their caregiver who has power and authority over them. This study addressed the understudied societal problems of financial

This essay will examine elder abuse and its role in our society. The definition of elder abuse and the different types of elder abuse will be examined. Additionally, literature that highlight legislative changes to current elder abuse laws and the origins of those laws will be examined. The paper will also discuss national reports of elder abuse statistics and the current status of elder abuse. Finally, recommendations based upon the information researched will be provided as a guide for the future.

Elder mistreatment is a serious problem in America, yet it often overlooked. Elder abuse is defined as abuse in older adults that includes, but isn’t limited to physical, emotional, financial or sexual abuse. It 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. It is often misunderstood and dismissed as just a family matter when in fact, that is the least common source of cruelty amongst the elders. According to the National council of aging, 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are reportedly abused yearly.

It is known that dissertation research must contribute to theory. However, for applied research the study does not have to prove why one thing causes the other. In addition, the research topic does not have to generate new theory or ideas it can be build on existing literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine recent literature regarding elder abuse in nursing homes in order, to investigate mediating, moderating, or independent variables in an attempt to contribute to theory.

The research interest topic is the prevalence of elder abuse and neglect found in selected Ohio nursing homes and what, if any consequences the nursing homes encounter if elder abuse cases are substantiated. A theory consists of a body of ideas regarding a particular phenomenon or topic (Cozby & Bata, 2012). Therefore, a theory seeks the truth from reasoned known facts, which serves as a basis of investigation (Burnight & Mosqueda, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical perspective.

Elder abuse is a serious problem and almost 14.1 percent of noninstutionalized older adults in the United States have experience it in the past year (govtrack.us, 2016). The elder abuse is any kind of mistreatment that causes harm or loss to an older adults and it is not only limited to physical and psychological abuse, but also include sexual and financial abuse, and neglect (National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, 2008). In addition, the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (2008) mentioned that older adults as a result of abuse can lose their independence, homes, life savings, health, dignity, and security. Most importantly, the older adults who have been abused are 300% at higher risk of death than non-abused older adults (N National Center on Elder Abuse, 2016).

The aging population is at high risk of being taken advantage of and mistreated by a caregiver or family member. Elders are the most vulnerable group of people and are subject to elder abuse in their later years of life. The Administration of Aging refers to elder abuse as the knowing, intentional, or negligent act that causes harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. Every year, hundreds of thousands of older adults are abused, neglected, and exploited. Unfortunately, a trusted caregiver or a loved one commits most of these heinous acts.

Elder abuse is a growing problem that can be a challenge to address. Physical, emotional, and financial abuse is associated with increased mortality rates, especially in those that are alone. The National center on Elder Abuse (as cited in Hoover & Polson, 2014) defines elder abuse as “intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or ‘trusted’ individual that lead to or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder”. Mistreatment of older adults will incline as the number of adults that need caregivers increase. The elder adult that is the most susceptible to abuse is most likely frail, defenseless, and cognitively impaired. Amidst all other problems, the older adult has encountered at least one type of abuse in their later years. Many cases of older adult abuse are not reported and the abuse continues until mortality.

In general, elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. All fifty states have laws of some form that prohibit elder abuse. Sadly, we do not know exactly how many elderly suffer from neglect and abuse. Although, statistics show female elders are abused at a higher rate than males. The elderly person may be hesitant to report the abuse because of lack of physical ability to report or fear or retaliation. Most of the time, the abusers are family members. Family members who use a lot drugs or alcohol, have a mental illness, and who feel burdened by their caregiving responsibilities are more likely to be abusive. About 5.1 million Americans over the age of 65 have

Financial abuse is another common form of elder abuse that occurs when a caretaker is an opportunist and the victim cannot process or understand what is going on. This is frequently perpetrated by caretakers who are either family members or hired on to take over the responsibility of caring for these helpless seniors (Bartle-Haring, Slesnick, & Carmona, 2015).

This scholarly journal looks at elderly abuse in general. It talks about different ways one can notice that the senior is being abused and what to do about the abuse. It also describes different reasons why the abusers abuse the elderly. It says how elderly abuse can be very difficult to notice and it is also difficult to help the seniors. The article then describes the difficulties that seniors have when they are abused. It talks a little about senior homes and how the elderly are treated by the nurses. It also gives some specific examples of abuse and the role of the government in this situation. This article is very opinionated and the author expresses her views on the topic very clearly.

There are current studies which suggest that financial exploitation of older adult’s is a common form of elder abuse. This can lead to further elder abuse including physical, and emotional abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Perpetrated by the elder’s children,

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.

As discussed earlier, very few seniors report the abuse, and get the help needed. For seniors, some might fear to report the abuse like physical, neglect, and financial abuse. One should consider the side effects of these form of abuse, and who are the most likely to be the perpetrator. People should be concern, as this is matter of the elder abuse may cause risk to the senior. First of all, in the report, “Crime and abuse against Seniors”, senior abuse tends to occur in the home, and the perpetrator usually is a family member. (Statistics Canada,2004). This being said, a senior is in a vulnerable risk of abuse from a close family member; these people are who we trust, and love. Two cases of abuse that is evident from a family member are physical

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