social issue that is important to acknowledge is the abuse of older people. For so many years, elder abuse has been a hidden yet growing problem in the United States. This problem is recognized as a tragedy that impacts older adults of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, social class and geographic areas. Additionally, this is a critical public health problem that has negative consequences on the health and well-being of older adults. Although the definitions of elder abuse vary, the U.S Administration
The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Lauren M. Lorio NUR/440 April 9, 2012 Maria Mendez The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008). A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001). There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender
Elder Self Neglect and Social Justice Nicole Monson Submitted to Instructor Terry Lee, MSN, RN, BC, in partial fulfillment of NR410 Introduction to the Profession of Nursing Regis University January 29, 2017 Introduction Self-neglect in the elderly is an important public health issue. It occurs more frequently than any other form of abuse or neglect and is expected to become even more prevalent as baby boomers retire and government appointed resources for the elderly decrease
definitions are needs oriented and substitute the terms abuse and neglect to the inability of the caretakers’ to meet the elderly basic needs or maltreatment of elderly adults. This definition is less criminally oriented. Elderly abuse is a concealed, yet increasing problem in the United States. It is a catastrophe that impacts older adults of all races, cultures, social classes and sexual orientations. Elderly abuse will continue undiminished until community members work together to address this horrendous
middle-income, not just those in poverty. The lack of medical intervention is the leading cause of poor health, increased long-term health care costs and early mortality (CDC, 2014). Indiana ranks 41st in overall health rankings and Greene County ranked 81st in clinical care out of 92 counties (County Health Rankings & America Health Rankings, 2014). Although cost is not always the primary reason that people fail to seek the needed medical attention; lack of providers, transportation and support are
and hair changing to gray hair are examples of primary aging in older adults. In addition, in primary aging, the sensory senses begin to change in older adults. The aging-related changes, in the integumentary system due to aging are graying of the hair wrinkling of skin, reduced skin, dry skin, thicker nails and age spots (PSY:403 Shannon Saszik, personal communication, Integumentary System). Gray and thinning of hair of older adult men and women is part of primary aging which may be heredity.
live. The older population is the most rapidly increasing segment of the U.S. population. Since 1900 the number of older adults has increased over ten times and their percentage of the population has more than tripled. This increase is projected to continue at a rate of 1.3 percent annually until 2010. (Torrez, p.132) The number of ethnic minority elderly persons will grow much more rapidly than the number of White elderly people over the next 50 years. The percentage of older adults in the United
sometimes seen in aging adults are often seen in those with SUDs. The Role of the Physician One of the first lines of defense in helping the elderly who are struggling with substance abuse is assisting them in recognizing there is a problem and correctly screening for substance abuse (Han et al., 2009). This primary role of the physician is essential to the treatment of the older patient’s medical needs. The medical community plays an important role in the lives of older people. Physicians prescribe
In the U.S., there is an essential population of informal caregivers that devote a significant amount of time and resources to caring for older adults with impairments. However, due to the informal nature of these caregiver relationships, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of this population. In “A National Profile of Family and Unpaid Caregivers Who Assist Older Adults with Health Care Activities (2016)”, Wolff and colleagues highlight the importance of understanding the responsibilities
As the generation of baby boomers goes into the older adult phase, the number of elderly individuals requiring medical services will certainly magnify (Topaz, Maxim & Doron, 2013). Older patients who come to the emergency department usually have more complicated conditions than younger patients. The older persons typically have multiple co-existing diseases, take different medications and present with atypical symptoms (Peters, 2010). The management of elderly patients is further complicated by