1 Running head: ELDER ABUSE

What is elder abuse? And what is being done about it? Laquasha Spencer CJ 305 3/23/2011 Monroe College

ELDER ABUSE

Abstract

Elder abuse or abuse of older people can take place in many forms and different ways. In my study of elder abuse I will look at the different types of abuse, where the abuse can happen, who are most likely to commit the abuse against elder people. Most times you hear about the abuse of elder people and you assume occurs within nursing homes, by people the elder person does not know but, this is not always the case.

Introduction

Most of the times when you hear about abuse you think of children and women, domestic violence, and other abuse that might take place at home but, another abuse that is not really mentioned is Elder Abuse; this is a problem because our elderly people are being harmed. Most times elder abuse takes place right in the comfort of their homes, by the children of the elder, nurses and sometimes friends.

Do we really know what elder abuse is? Do we know what classifies it as elder abuse? Elder abuse is defined as a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any person that cause harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The classifications of elder abuse as physical abuse (inflicting physical pain or injury on a senior)

ELDER ABUSE

,sexual abuse (non consensual sexual contact of any kind), neglect (the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, healthcare, or protection for a vulnerable elder) exploitation (the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone elses benefit.) emotional abuse(inflicting mental pain, aguish, or distress on an elder person threw verbal or non verbal acts.) abandonment(desertion of vulnerable elder by any one who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.) self neglect( characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self care tasks and that such failure threatens his or her health or safety.). (www.aoa.gov)

Literature Review

Elder abuse is not a popular topic to be talked about, even though it is this way there have been various studies on this topic. Schuller (2006) in this article she states that what we think and our stereotypes are wrong. Schuller also tries to show how the fear of crime affects elder communities, the making of the Commission for the Equality and the Human Rights are working to make a difference to stop elder abuse. Bridget (2006) discuss world elder abuse awareness day. This day is to give information on elder abuse, as well as prevention of elder abuse. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) was made in 1997 and is dedicated to the prevention and awareness of elder abuse. Horl (2007) in this article the author discuss the argument that elder abuse exists the author also states where the different areas of

ELDER ABUSE

elder abuse can take place. New findings (2007) the author uses statistics to show how many older people suffer from financial abuse at the hand of their sons and daughters. Furness (2006) in this article the author did a small survey of people living and working in nursing home in England. Even though this study was not done in America it goes to show that the world is starting to respond to elder abuse, the study also viewed how facilities respond to accusations of abuse and how they are investigated.

Methodology

In this study the author uses first contact by letter to the home owner or manager to explain the purpose of the study. Every home that was in this study was registered to care for elder people. This was a small study because of the number of homes that were included in the study was 47. They had some homes that were owned by privet owners and some homes that were owned by local authority, they also contacted these homes by phone to give them more information on the study and why it was being done. In total 19 homes participated in the study and all were privately owned. Nineteen people from each home participated in the study, they were interviewed and recorded then the findings were given in to be analyzed. Each manager was also interviewed separately and recorded, then passed on to the analysis specialist.

ELDER ABUSE

Conclusion

When concluding these studies you can see that elder abuse does happen. Even though it is not one of the most talked about abuses that takes place, it is gaining momentum. When elder abuse is talked about you find that most people dont know what to do about the abuse and how to prevent it. The ways that people find out about it is threw nanny cam, a nanny cam is a camera that is hidden in a room, house, or facility. The most common use is for people who are not home and can not see what is going on at home, most elders are unable to tell a person what happen to them or they are to afraid to mention it.

Most people dont understand why a person would let abuse continue happening with out telling someone, for elder people or vulnerable person who are unable to speak about the things that is happening to them people wonder the same thing. For elder people who are being abuse most of them do not know it is happening, they have a sickness and cannot report it, or they have family who are to busy to check up on the person. This is and has been a problem for years and

ELDER ABUSE

weather people notice they are doing it or not, it is good that it is being brought to the light. We all have to remember a good saying do unto others as you would want them to do to you we may be young now but we will also grow old one day, and we will need someone to help, love, and take care of us.

ELDER ABUSE

References

Bridget .P. (2006). World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Journal of Adult Protection, 8(3), 33-35. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. Document ID: 1161793761). Elder Abuse: Selected Papers from the Prague World Congress on Family Violence [review of the . (2005). The Journal of Adult Protection, 7(3), 40-41. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 928907281). Fraser. A. (2006). Psychological therapies in the treatment of abused adults. The Journal of AdultProtection, 8(2), 31-38. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1122483131). Furness.S. (2006). Recognising and addressing elder abuse in care homes: views from residentsand managers. The Journal of Adult Protection, 8(1), 33-49. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1094332351). Hrl. J. (2007). The social construction of violence in old age. The Journal of Adult Protection, 9(1), 33-38. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1240814971). Kosberg, J. (1998). The abuse of elderly men. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 9(3), 69-88. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 30937444). Manthorpe,J. Perkins,N. Bridget Penhale, Lisa Pinkney, & Paul Kingston. (2005). Select questions: considering the issues raised by a Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into elder abuse. The Journal of Adult Protection, 7(3), 19-32. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 928907321).

ELDER ABUSE

New findings: millions of pounds stolen, defrauded or conned from older people by their own sons and daughters each year. (2007). The Journal of Adult Protection, 9(1), 39-40. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1240814981). Schuller.N. (2006). Older people, crime and justice. Community Safety Journal, 5(4), 3743.Retrieved March 30, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1161793661).