The Stand Against Elder Abuse

Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as neglect, exploitation and abandonment of our older generation (Falk, 2012). The people that cause these injuries include the elderly person’s own family and staff members of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical rehabilitation facilities and hospitals (NCOA, 2017). There is approximately 1 in 10 older adults that have experienced some type of elder abuse in the United States (NCOA, 2017). Within these staggering numbers, only 1

The issue of elder abuse and neglect is a significant health care issue, that need to be brought to the attention of society. Seniors who stay at home or in nursing homes are at more risk. Nurses should be aware of the signs and symptoms as well as resources in the community. By having a better understanding of these issues, nurses can recognize problems and help prevent the devastating effects of elderly abuse.

Sexual abuse refers to sexual contact of any kind without permission neglect is not providing food, health care, shelter or anything needed to live for vulnerable elder persons. Illegal taking or misuse of the elder’s property is called exploitation. Emotional abuse is the humiliation, threatening, or insulting (verbally or nonverbally) of an elder. Deserting of a vulnerable elder by a person who is responsible for them is called abandonment.

The definition of patient abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of individuals who are under the care of a health care organization (Pozgar, 2013). In the United States, the vulnerable populations for this abuse are the elderly and children. Patient abuse is not only in an institutional setting, but also at home. The rise of elderly patients has increased in recent years due to the aging of the baby boomers. Currently, 13% of the population is over the age of 65 (NCEA, 2014). Many cases of elder abuse is caused by their own family (NCEA, 2014), this in turn reflects underreporting and insufficient data. The elderly also experience higher levels of physical and mental disability, which impair their abilities to report (CDC, 2014). Children are at high risk as well due to their vulnerability because of age and mental age (CDC, 2014). Health care workers are required by law to report suspected abuse (Pozgar, 2013). There is a strong ethical duty to acknowledge abuse of any patient. There are also legal ramifications compelling health care workers to be aware of suspected abuse. Each state has enacted laws to report abused patients as well as protect and at times penalize the reporter.

In the Journal of JAMA, Volume 302: Issue no. 5 published on August 5 2009 Elder Self-neglect and Abuse and Mortality Risk in a Community-Dwelling Population. The authors: X. Dong, MD, Melissa Simon, MD, Mph, Carols Mendes de Leon, PhD, Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, Todd Beck, MS, Liesi Herbert, ScD, Carmel Dyer, MD, Gregory Paveza PhD, MSW, Denis Evans, MD argue that both elder self-neglect and abuse is becoming more clear in regards to public health concerns, and that elder self-neglect or abuse is linked with mortality and not just on those that were vulnerable. In addition, that both elder neglect and abuse reported to social agencies there was an increased risk of mortality (Dong et al., 2009, p. 517).

Hello Antonia, thank you for being a major part of this week’s discussion, and sharing your potential funding sources that appears to be a great fit. I cannot recall if I extend gratitude to you for selecting this population as your idea project, so thank you for doing so. This population being at-risk to abuse and mistreatment is worthy to be address. How sad! Acierno, and colleagues (2010), indicated that The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study, had conducted a decade ago, was the first major investigation of mistreatment among the aging population in the United States and found that 449924 persons aged 60 years or older had been physically abused, neglected, or had been mistreated in some kind of way. I was appalled in the number of elderly being abused and just think this study does not include the cases that were unreported.

One way elder abuse or elder mistreatment can be defined is, “intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm, whether or not intended, to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder” (Bonnie & Wallace). There are seven main forms of elder abuse which include emotional, physical, psychological, sexual, financial, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect (Cohen, Levin, Gagin & Friedman, 2007; Fulmer, 2008; Thompson & Priest, 2005). Even though only 6.2% of victims are abused in long-term care settings, my experience of witnessing neglect and abandonment are very serious (Teaster et al., 2006).

The report of elder abuse is no exception. Though it may be more difficult to get an actual statement of abuse from an older adult, possibly due to their loved one or care giver being present, there are ways for nurses to give patients a chance to report the abuse. For example, conducting a discussion of the patient’s health history in private, including safety questions and questions concerning abuse, may help the patient be more willing to report any type of abuse they are facing. Asking questions such as, “Are you in a relationship where you feel unsafe?” or, “Are you in a relationship where you are being harmed by someone?” gives these patients a chance to report the abuse without pressuring them to come out and say it on their own (Daly et al., 2012). Also, giving them the opportunity to just simply say “yes” or “no” to these questions helps nurses determine whether further assessment is necessary. However, it is also the nurse’s responsibility to determine the risk factors for abuse, and recognize the signs of elder abuse in their patients. Some of these signs can include; malnourishment, bruising or other marks on the skin, burns on areas outside of the patients reach, and not being able to explain how a certain injury occurred. It is important however that the nurse does not appear overpowering to the other adult as an injury may not be a result of abuse but is the result of normal aging or effect of a

Abuse is defined as the willful infliction of physical pain, injury, or mental anguish upon an older adult, or willful deprivation by a caretaker of services necessary for physical and mental health (Falk, Baigis, & Kopac, 2012). Elder mistreatment is unrecognized, hidden, underreported, and encompasses a broad range of abuse including self-neglect, financial exploitation, and emotional harm, all of which require a different type of intervention (Falk et al., 2012). Screening and assessment are necessary to determine whether an elderly person is being abused, exploited or neglected by someone or if he or she is unable to provide self-care (Falk et al., 2012). In March 2010, the Elder Justice Act (EJA) was passed as a part of the Affordable Care Act, which authorizes federal response to elder abuse through training, services, and demonstration programs (Dong, 2012). Part I of EJA calls for the formation of an Elder Justice Coordinating Council comprised of federal government representatives charged with the responsibility of administering programs for the promotion of elder justice (Falk et al., 2012). The Council is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on the issue of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly (Falk et al., 2012). Part II focuses on the authorization of programs aimed at enhancing long-term care (Falk et al.,

Elder mistreatment involves any intentional or negligent act caused by a person that causes harm or risks the harm of a defenseless adult. The abuse can occur at home or in long-term care settings such as nursing homes, adult family homes, and group homes. There are various types of elder mistreatment, however physical abuse is reported more frequently. Physical abuse is purposely causing pain and injury through slapping, hitting, and malnutrition. Neglect occurs when a person refuses or fails to fulfill their obligations to an elder. Neglecting an elder can occur when their food, medication, funds or medical care are withheld. The signs of abuse and neglect in an elder include depression, fear, or anxiety. There may also be inconsistencies

To better understand the scope of the problem, it is crucial that society knows what is considered as elder abuse and why it is important to resolve this issue. Elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. There are many forms in which an elder can be abused, “Elder Abuse and Neglect” Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services distinguishes between the five most common types of elder abuse as well as their effects and/or common signs and symptoms for each. These types of abuse include physical abuse,

Elder Abuse is defined as any activity performed by an individual whereby these actions cause suffering of the older adult, intentionally or not (Touhy, Jett, Boscart & McCleary, 2012, p. 378). Unfortunately, the incidents of elder abuse continue to rise with the increasing number of people entering older adulthood. It is interesting to note that although elder abuse is highly under reported its occurrence increased three fold over a ten-year period (Friese & Collopy, 2010, p. 61). Certainly, it is a nurse’s duty to provide holistic care to his or her patients, which must include protection from abuse. Elder abuse can take on many forms including physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and financial. It is important to note that for the

According to Minnesota Elder Justice Center (n.d.), elder abuse is defined as any neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or financial exploitation of an elderly person. Unfortunately, many times this abuse is being perpetrated by a close family member, but can be induced by outsiders as well (such as in financial scams, etc.).

Senior abuse should not be taken lightly. A lot of elderly people males and female’s aged 65 and older have encountered some manifestation of misuse whether it is physical, sexual, psychological, or neglect. As reported to the WHO, 36 % of nursing staff have witnessed a minimum of one incident of physical abuse to an elderly patient, 10% confessed to committing one act of corporal abuse, and 40% acknowledged they mentally abused patients (2002). These accounts of abusing the elderly are such traumatic issues that this causes more than just a problem for the elderly who are being victimized, but also their families.

Nowadays, nurses who provide elder care are faced with several legal and ethical dilemmas in a daily basis. Besides to the social and legal dilemma it creates, elder abuse, neglect or also known as elder mistreatment is a massive health care crisis that can lead to long term health complications and even death (Fulmer & Greenberg, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and examine the nature of elder abuse in relation to its legal and ethical implications. Furthermore, this paper is intended to discuss the causes and types of elder abuse; professional responsibilities related to reporting, documenting, and intervening in cases of