Research Paper On Elder Abuse

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

The perpetrators also portray several risk factors and these include circumstances that put them at the likelihood of abusing the elderly. The most common risk factors in this case are mental illness such as depression and anxiety as this triggers verbal and physical abuse; substance misuse and this has been linked with physical, emotional, sexual, financial and psychological abuse; and abuser dependency as their level of dependence threatens the well-being of the adult.

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

The abuse can be physical, emotional or psychological, sexual, or financially and can be intentional or unintentional neglect from the caregiver (Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse.aspx). Physical abuse can range from shoving, severe beatings, and restraining them with ropes or chains (Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse.aspx). Physical abuse can also include the inappropriate use of medications and physical restraints and physical punishment of any kind (Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse.aspx). Verbal abuse can range from name calling, silent treatment, to intimidating and threatening the person (Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse.aspx). If the caregiver, whether family or not, acts in a manner that causes fear, mental anguish, emotional pain or distress, this behavior can be regarded as

It’s hard to say that this type of abuse is only happening in low income area when in fact like most domestic violence cases income level is not a guideline. Elder abuse which is also refer to as elder mistreatment, abuse in later life, this abuse is usually done by a family member, however, it can be anyone that is close to the senior. Abuse can take place in senior facilities such as long-term nursing facilities. Elder abuse includes harms by people the older person knows, or have a relationship with, such as a spouse, partner or family member, a friend or neighbor, or people that the older person relies on for services. Paid caregivers have also been known to prey on their elderly patients. Some families may keep an elderly

There isn’t a form of negative abuse that is expectable. Whether child, domestic partner, spousal or elder abuse; abuse is toxic and can tear apart families apart. So what is elderly abuse? Domestic elder abuse generally refers to any maltreatment committed by someone with whom the person has a special relationship (NCEA, n.d.) Factors that contribute to elderly abuse are those that may suffer from dementia and cognitive impairment, social/economic factors, along with mental and

Where to Go for Help National Center on Elder Abuse(NCEA) The NCEA is a resource for public and private agencies, professionals, service providers, and individuals interested in elder abuse prevention information, training, technical assistance, and research. 1-855-500-3537 www.ncea.aoa.gov Adult Protective Services Adult Protective Services (APS), present in all 50 states, is designated to receive and investigate allegations of elder abuse and neglect. Each state has a primary agency that houses APS. It may be the Area Agency on Aging, the Division of Aging, the Department of Aging, or the Department of Social Services.

Elder abuse includes forms of psychological abuse, sexual harm, physical abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. It is becoming a hidden problem due to excuses and missed signs of abuse. The most common type of elder abuse is financial exploitation and is perpetrated by a person that is well known by the victim. 90 percent of abuse comes from family members, especially the adult children. The children carry out financial abuse since they believe they would inherit the money anyway.

The elderly population is faced with many challenges as they age. One of the challenges is elder abuse. Globally, elderly abuse is a major social problem that has worsened over time. Physical, sexual, emotional or psychological and financial abuses are some of the forms of abuse the elderly population are subject to. Has memory problems such as dementia, lack of support and physical disabilities are some causes or risk factors of elderly abuse. The consequences of such abuse going unresolved is have health issues, such as depressions, anxiety, stress, long term-psychological issues and even death. Moreover, “elderly abuse is often defined as a repeated or single act, or lack of appropriate action, that happens in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes distress, injury, or suffering to an older person” (Kilvik et. al., 2015). The prevalence of Elder abuse is that of a world-wide issue caused by perpetrators, such as family members, friends, healthcare professionals, relatives and strangers. Interventions and prevention measures are put into place to help older adults suffering from the after math of abuse. As the elderly population grow, elder abuse increases. what are the different forms of elderly abuse? What are the various risk factors of elder abuse?

Should the U.S. Congress keep the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (2017) because it helps prevent elderly abuse and it affects elderly citizens’ resources effectively? Or should the act be amended by Congress to add other precautions and policies be added into the act to help further prevent elderly abuse and make it more efficient?

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

Due to the recent "discovery" of elder abuse and the failure of the battered women's movement to reach out to older persons, the physically abused older woman is not necessarily seen as a battered woman. Elder abuse has been viewed as more akin to child abuse, thus leading to a paternalistic approach to the problem. This article contrasts the prevalence, causal models, and effects of physical abuse amon young and older women. Interventions in the case of spouse and elder abuse are also compared. The author concludes by suggesting ways in which helpers might borrow from the battered women's movement in order to better serve older battered women. Due to the recent "discovery" of elder abuse and the failure of the battered women's movement to

with ropes or chains. When a caregiver or other person uses enough force to cause unnecessary pain or injury, even if the reason is to help the older person, the behavior can be regarded as abusive. Physical abuse can include hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, kicking, pinching, burning and biting. It also includes the inappropriate use of medications and physical restraints and physical punishment of any kind.

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.