Essay On Elder Abuse And Neglect
Section 4: Introduction
Subsection 1: Statement of the Problem
During the last two decades, the United States has seen an increase in awareness of the seriousness of elder abuse and neglect. Until recently, what happened within the home was considered to be a private, family matter and was excluded from scrutiny by the public. With an increasing number of elderly individuals entering into care at long term living facilities, the problem of abuse and neglect has moved from a private, family matter, that typically took place within the home, to one that is a critical societal problem and a crime. However, risk factors associated with elder abuse are grossly under studied, and therefore, grossly misunderstood. Prevention programs exist, but they have not been informed by rigorous risk factor research. Understanding the causes of mistreatment of this …show more content…
According to a website for prevalence of depression in the elderly, “More than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression” (“Mental Health America,” 2016). This number increases with the incidence of illness in elder adults. “Symptoms of clinical depression can be triggered by other …show more content…
Because nursing home residents as a class, are both extremely physically vulnerable, and generally unable either to protect themselves, or report elder mistreatment, the likelihood they experience the physical and emotional costs of elder mistreatment in such environments is likely to be very high. This research is significant in the training of staff, health care professionals and individuals in the prevention of abuse and neglect in the elderly population living within a
Subsection 1: Statement of the Problem
During the last two decades, the United States has seen an increase in awareness of the seriousness of elder abuse and neglect. Until recently, what happened within the home was considered to be a private, family matter and was excluded from scrutiny by the public. With an increasing number of elderly individuals entering into care at long term living facilities, the problem of abuse and neglect has moved from a private, family matter, that typically took place within the home, to one that is a critical societal problem and a crime. However, risk factors associated with elder abuse are grossly under studied, and therefore, grossly misunderstood. Prevention programs exist, but they have not been informed by rigorous risk factor research. Understanding the causes of mistreatment of this …show more content…
According to a website for prevalence of depression in the elderly, “More than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression” (“Mental Health America,” 2016). This number increases with the incidence of illness in elder adults. “Symptoms of clinical depression can be triggered by other …show more content…
Because nursing home residents as a class, are both extremely physically vulnerable, and generally unable either to protect themselves, or report elder mistreatment, the likelihood they experience the physical and emotional costs of elder mistreatment in such environments is likely to be very high. This research is significant in the training of staff, health care professionals and individuals in the prevention of abuse and neglect in the elderly population living within a