High technology brought many positive changes to human kind. It produces many tools to help people life easier. It also produces many medicines that lower the rate of mortality and prolonging life. With this, the population in the world increase. Elders’ population, which is part of a community, also increases. In this trend, there is also increase in the rate of crimes involving elder abuse. Elder abuse has reached a stage in the United States an alarming stage. Elder abuse is the intentional and unintentional hurting physically and emotionally of an old person. Many issues concerning on elders arise.
These people are very open to abuse because of their weak standing that they are very weak and they cannot think normally. Their strength to fight abuses is minimal. The abuse can be done in their home, in a clinic or even in public. Members of their family are the one that abuses the elders. Some cases are the care givers; they cannot cope on the demands of the elders. With the combination of stress brought in care giving, they take advantage on the weak bodies of a senior citizen. (Benedictis, 2004) Types of elder abuse There are different types of elder abuse.
One is physical abuse which is done when a force is done in an elder resulting into injure, physical pain and harm. There are many ways that an elder is physically abuse; these are punching, kicking, slapping, beating, pushing hitting, biting and other activities that will result to pain. Another type of elder abuse is sexual abuse. Forcing an elder to have sex with out the consent of the elder is considered sexual abuse. They take advantages on the weakness of the victim which is the elder. Emotional or psychological abuse is done when there is anger and hatred that developed through verbal and nonverbal acts.
Examples of these are when an elder is humiliated, harassed through words, and verbal insults. Neglect is another type of elder abuse. Neglecting the necessities of an elder is an abuse. An elder has many necessary cares to be given. Refusal of these basic needs and the failure to do the responsibility to take care the elders is neglect. Financial or Material Exploitation is the fifth type. This abuse is the improper use of the elder’s money. This is done when a member of a family or a care giver steals the money of the elder or usage of the money with out the authorization of the elder.
Forcing an elder to affix his or her signature is another kind of this abuse. (Abuse, 2006) Factors causing elder abuse Elder abuse is a big problem. Many psychiatrists had studied the risk factors that cause elder abuse crimes. Surveys say that elder abuse victims are majority of females. The lists below are some factors to consider in case of an elder abuse happen. • Caregiver stress – caregivers who do not have patience when serving a senior citizen will lead to elder abuse. Those who are not cope on the duties and responsibility to serve and protect their patient will tend to lead the abuse.
Unprepared ness of the caregiver and the impurity of intention to help an elder is a factor that increases the build up of stress. • Dependency or impairment of older adults – many caregivers take advantage on their patient if the elder is financially stable. The caregiver may steal the money of the elder. Some older adults are in poor health and these conditions were many people abused an elder because the elder cannot protect himself from abusers. • External stress – this factor is based on the problem encountered of the members of the family.
If stress like financial problems, job stress will tend to lead to elder abuse. A person with problem is hot tempered and the anger will be brought to the elder. • Social isolation – social isolation is also factoring in child and spousal abuse. They isolate them in the society because they believe that they have no right to socialize anymore in public. This hinder their rights to live in a well and comfortable place. • Intergenerational violence – caregivers who experience violence in their childhood will return the violence to their patient as a sign of revenge. Personal problem of the abuser – caregivers who have internal problems are most likely to become the abusers. These problems may be health problems, financial problem and family problem. They release their problems to the elder and eventually abusing the elders. There are also risk factors on elder abuse in a nursing home. Insufficient staffing is a risk factor in a nursing home. Another is the lack of training of the caregivers. Instead they do their duty to provide help and care to the elders; they treat the elders as animals.
Low patience when serving the elders will lead to stressful working condition. (Goddard, 2006) Laws and Regulations Due to the increasing rate of elder abuse crimes in United States, the government made laws to protect the rights of elder people in the country. Example of these laws was the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Law. (Reilly, 2004) Conclusion The most critical issues concerning on elders is the elder abuse crimes. This crime inhibits the freedom of an elder to live in a fine place. Elder abuse crimes have arisen in almost community.
Society considers it a forbidden act and believes it cannot happen. We must be aware that this illegal act will hinder a person’s right. To lessen the rate of elder abuse, family members must show importance, respect and love to their elders. Elder abuse occurs between the elder and his family members. A caregiver, which is also part of a elder abuse, must see to it that he or she must serve for the wellness of his patient. He must set aside stresses and problems in order to serve well and nurture the elders. He must extend his patience when serving an elder.
References:
Abuse, N. C. o. E. (2006). The Basics. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from http://www. elderabusecenter. org/default. cfm? p=basics. cfm Benedictis, T. d. (2004). Elder Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Help. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from http://www. helpguide. org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect. htm Goddard, T. (2006). Elder Abuse Information and Training Guide Retrieved November 9, 2006, from http://www. azag. gov/seniors/elder_abuse_guide. html#3 Reilly, T. (2004). Laws and Regulations. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from http://www. ago. state. ma. us/sp. cfm? pageid=1784
