Intergenerational Abuse Case Summary

The general assessment findings regarding the patient ranked the general assessment as very poor regarding clothing, hygiene, nutrition and/or dehydration, and poor findings regarding skin integrity. The general assessment showed that the patients clothing were not clean; saturated with urine and food stains. In regards to nutrition this ranked very poor as well, considering the patient has lost 10 pounds since her last hospitalization only two weeks ago. This weight loss also could be because of dehydration or nutritional imbalance; further labs will need to be completed to decide if weight loss was regarding nutrition, dehydration or both. Albumin levels will be assessed for nutritional status (Bharadwaj, 2016). Skin integrity ranked a poor on the scale. The diffused red abrasions noted in sacral area could be a stage 1 ulcer. (Advanced Tissue, April 2014). Being unkempt, soiled and dirty is large warning sign of neglect especially for elderly patients (HelpingGuide.org, 2017).

“It is estimated that there are three times the number of First Nations children in foster care today than there were at the height of the residential schools” (Blackstock, 2011, p.2). Indigenous children today are mainly overrepresented in the case of neglect which is driven by poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse; often due to unaddressed trauma. When dealing with the Indigenous population this relates to the intergenerational trauma caused by colonialism. Although there is more awareness in BC around the negative impacts of colonialism there still lacks a solution for the CFCSA to provide adequate services to Indigenous children that would address the overrepresentation.

Elder abuse is not just based on hitting there are many different types of abuse such as: physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, psychological abuse, financial abuse and neglect. Estimates show that 4-6% of the elderly are being abused. In 1996, twenty years ago, 450,000 elderly experienced abuse nationwide. This is a very high number of elders being abused that can’t defend themselves.

Residential schools first opened in the late 1880’s with the last one closing in the later 1990’s. The Canadian government was responsible for the initiation of residential schools while it was the churches (Anglican, Presbyterian, United, and Roman Catholic) responsibility to educate and oversee the overall running of the schools. Hanson (2009) writes “The purpose of residential schools was to eliminate all aspects of the Aboriginal culture.” It is through looking at the history of residential schools and facing the assimilation forced upon Aboriginal children and their families, along with the abuses endured that a reconciliation between all involved with the uprising and running of these schools that all can come together in moving forward

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.

As Americans live longer, it is no surprise that the population of older adults has increased; consequently so has the ubiquitous problem of elder abuse. In the United States elder abuse is an exceedingly, overlooked public health hazard; which covers a wide range of abuses. Approximately 2 million adults, over the age of 60 are abused or mistreated each year. ("Elder Justice: A John A. Hartford Foundation Change AGEnts Issue Brief", 2016) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has defined elder abuse as "an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult, age 60 and older” (“Elder Abuse: Definitions”, 2016) Studies show a vast majority of health care professionals underestimate the occurrence of elder

It is estimated that one in ten American over the age of 60 are victims of elder abuse each year. Elder abuse is a difficult subject; however, it is a subject that must be addressed. Thousands of senior citizens are being abused or neglected each day in this country. It is everyone’s responsibility to take acts to prevent elder abuse when possible.

Elder mistreatment is unrecognized, hidden, and underreported. Studies showed that nurses among health professionals are largely unaware of the various forms of elder mistreatment that take place and of the proper course of action to pursue when mistreatment is suspected Falk, Baigis, and Kopac(2012). People should be aware of the many faces of elder maltreatment, and all health caregivers working with older adults need to recognize, treat, and prevent elder abuse and neglect (Daly, et al., 2012).

Scheidet, R.A. (2003). Improving Student Achievement by Infusing a Web-Based Curriculum into Global History. Journal Of Research on Technology in Education. International Society for Technology in Education, 36(1), 77-94. Retrieved from: Ashford University Library

Elder abuse is of growing concern in today’s society; it is the single most unreported cause of abuse. The thesis of this paper is to describe elder abuse, look at why it is becoming such a problem and what is being done to correct it. According to World Health Organization it is estimated that 80 percent of elder abuse is unreported (Daly, Schmeidel & Jogerst, 2012). Elder abuse is a problem not only just in the health care setting but community wide. Patience and having the time to care for the elderly population is becoming more and more of a struggle in that nurses are being continuously bombarded with a larger patient load and a lack of help. In an article by Rosen (2014), it is stated that five

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.

The mistreatment of elders goes unrecognized and unreported ever day. As nurses we are responsible for advocating for our patients. In order to do this we need to know what to look for, and how to take action. In this document I will discuss the types of elder abuse/mistreatment, how to identify the sometimes hidden signs, and how to properly take action against abuse.

A nurse’s moral obligations are undoubtedly “to do good or to implement actions that benefit individuals and their support people.” (Kozier & Erb, p.95, 2017). The noble concept of beneficence requires that nurses must provide an adequate standard of care, whilst effectively working within the best interests of the patient. It is evident from the troubling abuse case of Corey Lucas that he has outright neglected the ethical principles necessary for a nurse to possess while practicing. The lack of beneficence within his care makes him ultimately unfit to practice, and this is best reflected in his violence towards Mr. Hausler.

This brief essay examines two issues that affect the elderly directly: elder abuse and the need for end of life planning. The elderly need protection from abuse and should take steps to plan for their eventual demise.

Some believe elder abuse if hard to determine due to the lack of theories available. Elder abuse is a growing problem have to deal with the majority of teh population. In a few years it is said that more than half of the united states population is going to be considered elderly. In the majority of the united states an elder person is considered someone who is older than the age of 65.