Signs Of Elderly Abuse

Burnes (1906) explains that elderly abuse or neglect refer to an intentional act which is physical, sexual, emotional, financial abuse, or neglect, occurring in a relationship of trust. Researchers, and clinicians recognize elder mistreatment is a big problem associated with major consequences, including shortened survival, and societal costs. It is important to understand the signs, types, and prevention of elderly abuse or neglect. As elders become weaker and weaker, they lose their ability to stand up to others. Smith (344) suggested that they tend to lose their hearing, as well as losing their ability to think as clearly as they were at a younger age. Because of that, bad people take advantage of them whenever they are able. Caregivers,
Acorn, et al. (295) mentioned that burns received as a result of cigarettes, appliances, or hot water are frequent signs of elderly abuse. Burns that are perpetrated against the elderly, is a method that does not occur as frequently as some of the other types of abuse. However, the this type of physical abuse goes undiagnosed, it has serious outcomes. King’s Network Care (3) reported that burn injuries are both a forensic problem and a medical problem for doctors. Also, there are ethical issues that are unique. The authors first describe the legal considerations that must be appreciated by United States physicians, then they suggest a rational and balanced clinical approach to the assessment of burn injuries that may have been inflicted intentionally or negligently on the
King’s Network of Care (2) mentioned that one such abuse is physical abuse. Physical abuse is a use of force that is non-accidental against the elderly that results in physical impairment, injury, or pain. Physical abuse includes such things as hitting, shoving, and other type of assaults, as well as confinement, drugs, and restraints. Roepke-Buehler & Dong (1826) explained that the second type of elderly abuse is emotional abuse. Emotional or psychological abuse takes place when the elderly are talked to or treated in ways that cause them distress or pain. Acorn, et al. (287) stated that this can include such forms of: 1) terrorizing, 2) blaming the elderly for something continuously, 3) ignoring the elderly, 4) isolating the elder from activities and others, 5) intimidation through screaming or threats and 6) humiliation and ridicule. The last type of elderly abuse discussed in this research paper involves sexual abuse. Sexual elderly abuse takes place when a person touches or has contact with an elderly person without the consent of the elderly person. Some examples of sexual abuse include: 1) physical sex acts, 2) showing pornographic material to an elderly person pornographic, 3) forcing the elderly person to watch sex acts, or 4) forcing the elder person to