Elderly abuse

It seems that People are so morally obligated to focus on child or spousal abuse that elderly abuse gets over looked. Every year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of this abuse. Elderly abuse is nothing to be taken lightly. It is one of the most unreported crimes in the country and the abuse usually occurs when someone is taking advantage of a fragile or disabled elderly person, using physical and mental tactics or neglecting them. Elderly abuse is not only morally and ethically wrong but it is wrong in the eyes of the law Alzheimer’s patients or those who suffer from any kind of dementia are twice as vulnerable to the abuse and the signs are more difficult to recognize. When talking to those patients it is harder to get a story out of them twice in a row because of their diminished thinking. Similar to other types of violence, elderly abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or even financial exploitation. It can happen anywhere including a nursing facility or even a patients home. Most elderly abuse occurs in the home. It can happen to anyone; a next door neighbor or even a family member. According to Helpguide.org: Tens of thousands of seniors across the United States are being abused: harmed in some substantial way often people who are directly responsible for their care. More than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported. There are many different types of elderly abuse and some abuse you may not even be able to detect. Most types of abuse are physical, which is taking advantage of the elderly person’s weakness intentionally inflicting pain on the person. This may be hitting, pushing, shaking, using restraints, or even withholding their necessary medication. Sexual abuse towards an elderly person is forcing them to participate in sexual activities or being forced to look at pornography. 50 percent of female dependent adults are sexually abused. Emotional elderly abuse is when an elderly person is ignored, isolated, humiliated, or bullied with threats and harsh words. According to an article in the Tampa bay tribune by: Gary Joseph: It is not unusual for a caregiver to verbally lash out at his or her patient due to exhaustion or frustration. Some may not consider this to be an act of abuse. But verbal abuse is labeled as emotional or psychological abuse. This act is defined as "inflicting mental pain or distress from verbal mistreatment." Elderly neglect is when a caretaker is behaving irresponsibly and not fulfilling their duties by depriving them of their personal needs such as; clothes, shoes, diapers if needed, coats and jackets during cold weather. Also elders can be financially exploited. A common reason why someone would be taking care of a family member that they do not care about is because of financial stability. They can forge the elder’s signatures on checks and documents, or even identity theft. This type of crime cannot only be done by a health professional in a nursing home but it can also be done by a stranger off the street. According to elderabuseinformation.com: Financial abuse can rob a senior of self–esteem and trust, as well as of his or her means of subsistence. Although financial exploitation does not leave physical scars, it is a serious and shameful crime. Some signs that someone is being abused are frequent bruises broken bones, bed sores, unusual weight loss, emotional withdrawal, tension between the caretaker and the patient. If the patient seems very weary and timid when around the caretaker this could also be a good sign of abuse. Also the patient may be undergoing unusual weight loss. Caring for the elderly is in no way an easy job; in fact it might be the most difficult job in the world. it can extremely and overwhelming to the point where the caretaker may forget bout their morals and lash out at the patient. The responsibilities and demands of elderly care giving can take a tole on anyone even a health care professional. Caregivers being over stressed are the number one cause of elderly abuse. Families turn to health care professionals in nursing homes to insure that their mother, grandmother, or grandfather are attended to and cared for. When in a nursing home the elderly patients are supposed to get all the attention and healthcare that they need.