126). Although there are an increasing number of elderly in the United States today with many more expected in the future, the study of elder abuse is of fairly recent origin. During the last three decades of the 20th century, following the "discovery" of child abuse and domestic violence, scholars and professionals started taking an active interest in the subject of elder abuse. This increased attention from the academic community, together with a clear indication from the respective state and federal governments that they were willing to intervene in family matters and the growing aging population of elders at risk for violence in the home, makes it understandable what elder abuse has gained public and scholarly attention in recent years. In this regard, Nadien (1995) notes that, "Violence against the elderly, often referred to as elder abuse, emerged as a serious concern only in the late 1970s and early…...
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References
Adler, L.L., & Denmark, F.L. (1995). Violence and the prevention of violence. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
Aguilera, D.C. (1998). Crisis intervention: Theory and methodology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
American Psychological Association. (2002). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Baker, M.W. (2007). Elder mistreatment: Risk, vulnerability, and early mortality. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 12(6), 313-321.
If one takes into account that the number of elderly in nursing homes in the country is on the increase, then the need for an adequate awareness of and research into the problem becomes evident.
One of the central questions that need to be addressed is why this form of abuse occurs with such general frequency. While there will always be those few individuals who should not be in responsible positions of care in nursing homes, this does not explain the wide and extensive range of abuse cases that have been reported. In other words there should be more in - depth research into the underlying causative factors that are behind these alarming abuse statistics. As Benson (1996) emphasizes, "... those who commit crimes, who abuse or neglect, clearly, solutions must be found to prevent this type of problem from continuing, and ombudsmen play key roles in identifying the problem…...
That is because older patients bruise very easily (hence it would be conjecture that a bruise might have been the result of violence); also doctors may be reluctant to report a certain condition as abuse simply because they would (by law) then have to report it. Reporting a possible incident of abuse against an older patient would mean the doctor would have to testify in court, and might be concerned "they are making a legal judgment" (NCEA).
Second question: In situations where the sandwich generation includes the father and mother -- both working full time -- and along come their parents who are now staying with them because they are unable to care for themselves, there is naturally going to be some tension. That is because the father and mother have had their house to themselves for the past 5 years, to live the way they always lived since the…...
The speaker, however, quoted statistitics that demonstrated the vast majority of reported cases taking place in homes. The vast number of unreported cases also keeps the ignorance about this problem alive and well.
Connected to these problems are other contributing factors such as the increased vulnerability of the elderly, their greater dependence, their susceptibility to dementia, a lack of basic awareness of the abuse, and the tendency to disbelieve reports about elder persons being abused. The speaker also suggests that issues such as mental illness, our basic desensitization to violence, a sense of entitlement, a propensity for power and control, and ageism could be contributing factors to the abuse of elder persons by individuals.
When taking a wider perspective of the issue, however, my view is that the most important contributing factor is both ignorance and a tendency to ignore the suffering caused by this crime. As an individual, I like…...
Aside from direct physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect, one of the most serious forms of elder abuse is the purposeful exploitation of access to confidential and financial information (LeBreton, 2008; SeniorsCanada, 2008). In many cases, these begin as crimes of opportunity rather than deliberate premeditation or planning, simply because those caring for the elderly have physical access to their private papers and information (LeBreton, 2008).
Often, family members or professional caregivers provide assistance with ordinary bookkeeping and bill-paying because the elderly may lose their ability to manage their personal and financial affairs and require assistance to pay rent and handle other ordinary paperwork-related functions. Similarly, caregivers often have access to bank accounts and check books because they are authorized by the elderly to use their money to ay for their needs such as food and medication.
Over time, those caring for the elderly in these situations may begin misusing that access…...
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References
Elder Abuse: it's Time to Face the Reality. (2008). Accessed 30 Nov. 2009 from SeniorsCanada at the Canada Government public website at:
A lack of good relationships with staff can also result in a high risk factor for abuse from caregivers at these facilities.
According to Woolf (1998), other factors that can contribute to the abuse of elderly persons, either in care facilities or in the home environment include external stress and intra-individual dynamics or personal problems. In terms of the former, a family members financial problems, job stress, or other issues may impact upon their ability to properly care for their elders in need. In terms of intra-individual dynamics, caregiving professionals could be the victims of their own circumstances, which may put them at risk of becoming abusive towards elders. The NCEA (2005) cites alcoholism, drug addiction, or emotional disorders as high-risk factors in this regard.
THE NATURE of ELDER AUSE
According to the NCEA (2005), elder abuse in nursing homes can manifest itself in various ways, of which physical abuse is only…...
Cooney, C., & Mortimer, a. (1995). Elder Abuse and Dementia - a Pilot Study . International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 41, 276-283.
Dong, X., Simon, M., de Leon, C.M., Fulmer, T., Beck, T., Hebert, L., et al. (2009). Elder Self-neglect and Abuse and Mortality isk in a Community-Dwelling Population . Journal of the American Medical Association, 302(5), 517-526.
Dong, X. (2005). Medical Implications of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Clinics in geriatric medicine, 21, 293-313.
Dyer, C., Pavlik, V., Murphy, K., & Hyman, D. (2000). The High Prevalence of Depression and Dementia in Elder Abuse and Neglect. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 48(2), 205-208.
Lachs, M., Williams, C., O'Brien, S., Pillemer, K., & Charlson, M. (1998). The Mortality of Elder Mistreatment . Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(5), 428-432.
Lachs, M., Williams, C., O'Brien, S., Hurst, L., Kossack, a., Siegal, a., et al. (1997). ED use by older victims of family violence. Annals of…...
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References
Cooney, C., & Mortimer, a. (1995). Elder Abuse and Dementia - a Pilot Study . International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 41, 276-283.
Dong, X., Simon, M., de Leon, C.M., Fulmer, T., Beck, T., Hebert, L., et al. (2009). Elder Self-neglect and Abuse and Mortality Risk in a Community-Dwelling Population . Journal of the American Medical Association, 302(5), 517-526.
Dong, X. (2005). Medical Implications of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Clinics in geriatric medicine, 21, 293-313.
Dyer, C., Pavlik, V., Murphy, K., & Hyman, D. (2000). The High Prevalence of Depression and Dementia in Elder Abuse and Neglect. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 48(2), 205-208.
Elder abuse is a growing concern in Canada, as the population ages and the number of seniors in the country continues to increase. Defined as any action or inaction that causes harm or distress to an older person, elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse. This issue often goes unnoticed and unreported, making it difficult to accurately gauge the prevalence and impact of elder abuse on the elderly population in Canada.
esearch suggests that as many as one in five seniors in Canada may be experiencing some form of abuse, with women being more likely to be victims than men. The perpetrators of elder abuse are often family members, caregivers, or trusted individuals, making it all the more challenging to detect and address. Furthermore, the effects of elder abuse can be devastating, leading to physical injuries, psychological trauma, financial loss, a…...
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References
1. National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly. \"What is Elder Abuse?\" NICE, no publication date, no URL.
2. Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. \"Elder Abuse Types,\" CNPEA, no publication date, no URL.
3. Podnieks, Elizabeth, et al. \"National Survey on Abuse of the Elderly in Canada,\" Ryerson University, no publication date, no URL.
4. Perreault, Samuel. \"Criminal Victimization in Canada, 2014,\" Statistics Canada, 2015, no URL.
In the last three decades, the events of elder abuse have increased greatly which leads to the increase in the needs of victims and further develops a need for having a sound policy combating this situation. Hence, a structure is required which can help in educating public, training professional specializing in this field, increasing necessary measures required for adult protection, increasing prosecution and reduction of barriers in promulgation of this policy.
In order to devise a policy for elder abuse, it is necessary to understand the definition of it:
"a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person"
As per the definition presented by police and prosecution, any crime involving the abuse of individuals exceeding the age of sixty. These cases are filed under the regime…...
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References
Bonnie, R.J. And Robert, B. (2011), ELDER MISTREATMENT Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America
Macolini, R.M. (2006), Elder abuse policy: Considerations in research and legislation
Aboriginal Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is a catch-all phrase that refers to a variety of ways by which caregivers and other people in power-positions relative to the elderly can mistreat them. Elder abuse includes, but is not limited to: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse financial abuse, abandonment and neglect. Elders refer to seniors, though the definition of senior can be fluid. In the general populations, seniors are generally those age 65 and older, but because of differential life expectancies and cultural differences, some researchers refer to elders in the aboriginal community as those aged 55 and older (Dumont-Smith, 2002). Abandonment is "abuse that occurs when the person who assumes the responsibility for providing care or who has physical custody abandons his or her duties to the elder" (Dumont-Smith, 2002). Physical abuse is "the use of physical force that can result in injury, pain and/or impairment" (Dumont-Smith, 2002). Emotional…...
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References
Centre for Social Justice. (2013). Aboriginal issues. Retrieved April 8, 2013 from the Centre
Abstract
Elder abuse is a complex and multifaceted problem. Although the majority of elder abuse still does take place in the domestic setting, increasing numbers of cases are occurring within the healthcare or nursing home setting. Measuring elder abuse is difficult due to inconsistent reporting, and the fact that most cases of elder abuse remain unreported. Responding to elder abuse requires cooperation between multiple agencies and organizations within criminal justice, the legal system, public health, and healthcare services. The impact of the criminal justice system has been to prevent and respond to elder abuse.
Introduction and Background
Criminalizing elder abuse is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to 2000, elder abuse was construed as a private, family concern (Heisler, 2012). Just as attitudes toward child abuse and domestic violence changed during the 20th century, public attitudes and responses to elder abuse are finally shifting in the 21st century. As the senior population of the…...
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References
Benson, S. B. (2010). Prosecuting elder abuse cases. National Institute of Justice Journal No. 265. Retrieved online: Blowers, A.N. (2015). Elders and the criminal justice system. Journal of Crime and Justice 38(1): 1-8.British Columbia Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (n.d.). Understanding and Responding to Elder Abuse. E-book: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/victims-of-crime/vs-info-for-professionals/info-resources/elder-abuse.pdfHeisler, C.J. (1991). The role of the criminal justice system in elder abuse cases. Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect 3(1): 5-33.Heisler, C.J. & Stiegel, L.A. (2002). Enhancing the justice system’s response to elder abuse. Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect 14(4): 31-54.Heisler, C.J. (2012). Elder abuse and the criminal justice system: An uncertain future. Generations 36(3). Retrieved online: https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-2916031991/elder-abuse-and-the-criminal-justice-system-an-uncertainJackson, S.L. (2014). All elder abuse perpetrators are not alike. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 60(3): 265-285.Jackson, S.L. (2016). The shifting conceptualization of elder abuse in the United States: from social services, to criminal justice, and beyond. International Psychogeriatrics 28(1): 1-8.https://www.nij.gov/journals/265/pages/elder-abuse-prosecuting.aspx
Policy
Elder abuse is a growing issue. This issue has existed for much longer than it has received attention in the press. Some blessings of the 21st century include innovations in health care, medicine, and related fields. Many of these advances allow for people to live longer lives, extending their life spans. As more and more people around the world gain knowledge and access about health care and nursing that can prolong life, gradually, the general life span of human beings increases. There are more elderly people on Earth than previous decades, and perhaps centuries; these numbers will only rise exponentially in the decades to come. Therefore, it is important for people of all ages to cultivate awareness of the social, political, and legislative issues for the elderly. There are many elderly people now, and hopefully many of us will live to be elderly as well; thus, many of us who…...
The topic I focused on for this exercise was related to the use of the criminal justice system in cases of elder abuse. Elder abuse refers mainly to the physical and psychological abuse experienced by elders who are residents of nursing homes. Because elders in nursing homes are often unaware of their rights, and because those rights are somewhat limited due to their status, this is a vulnerable population. The criminal justice system has only recently become involved in cases of elder abuse, which was not even recognized as an issue until fairly recently. As Roberto, Teaster, McPherson et al (2012) also point out, public perceptions of elder abuse vary depending on demographic variables.
Interestingly, there were few current event news articles on this topic when I performed a regular Google search. Switching to the “news” tab in Google, I found several newspaper articles that addressed the subject in relative depth,…...
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References
Phillips, W. & Vickstrom, A. (2017). Left to suffer. Star Tribune. Nov 17, 2017. Retrieved online: Roberto, KA. Teaster, P.B., McPherson, M.C., et al (2012). A community capacity framework for enhancing a criminal justice response to elder abuse. Journal of Crime and Justice 38(1): 9-26.http://www.startribune.com/left-to-suffer-ways-to-address-the-travesty-of-elder-abuse/458344573/
Victimology and the Problem of Elder Abuse
Part 1
Introduction
Just as criminology is the study of crime and the criminal’s role in crime, victimology is the study of victimization and how victims are impacted by crime and how they in turn also impact crime. There are five typologies of victimization, each one illustrating different ways in which the perpetrator and the victim (if there is one) interact in the crime. For the specific population of elderly people, one problem in victimology is the focus on elder abuse, which is defined as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person” (Jackson, 2016, p. 265). According the World Health Organization (2002), elder abuse tends to be manifested in a variety of forms: (a) physical abuse, (b) psychological abuse, (c) sexual abuse, (d)…...
Introduction
This paper will focus on the geriatrics service line. Elderly patients are coming in at higher rates and the geriatric population is trending upward (Advisory Board, 2018). One problem the department is having is the identification of elder abuse among geriatric patients. Elder abuse has been defined as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person” (Jackson, 2016, p. 265). According to the World Health Organization (2002), elder abuse can take any one of or combination of forms: (a) physical abuse, (b) psychological abuse, (c) sexual abuse, (d) neglect, (e) abandonment, and (f) financial exploitation or theft. Recognizing and addressing elder abuse is important for the geriatrics service line because it will help to better serve the elderly patient and the geriatric community overall and it will reduce…...
1. The impact of poverty on education: exploring government assistance programs and private initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
2. The prevalence of mental health issues in society: analyzing the benefits of government-funded mental health programs and the role of private organizations in providing support and resources to individuals in need.
3. The challenges faced by homeless individuals: examining the assistance offered by government agencies and non-profit organizations in providing shelter, food, and healthcare to homeless populations.
4. The issue of food insecurity: investigating government assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC, as well as the role of food....
1. The impact of homelessness on society and possible solutions: explore programs such as housing first initiatives and supportive services provided by government and non-profit organizations to address the issue of homelessness, and provide recommendations for improving access to affordable housing and support services.
2. The stigma surrounding mental health and the need for increased access to mental health services: discuss the various government and private mental health programs available, such as counseling services and hotlines, and offer recommendations for reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and improving access to mental health care.
3. The effects of poverty on children's education....
In Canada, there are several measures being taken to address and prevent elder abuse within communities. Some of these measures include:
1. National awareness campaigns: The Canadian government and various organizations run awareness campaigns to educate the public about the signs of elder abuse and the resources available to help victims.
2. Legislation and policies: There are laws and policies in place that protect the rights of older adults and make it illegal to abuse or neglect them. For example, the Criminal Code of Canada includes provisions that address elder abuse.
3. Support services: There are various support services available for older adults....
Elder abuse, a serious and often hidden issue, is a significant concern in Canadian communities. To combat this pervasive problem, the government, organizations, and individuals have implemented a range of measures to address and prevent its occurrence.
Government Initiatives:
National Strategy for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: Launched in 2018, this national framework outlines comprehensive actions to prevent, identify, respond to, and prosecute elder abuse. It focuses on collaboration, awareness, justice, and supporting vulnerable seniors. Elder Abuse Awareness Campaign: Public awareness campaigns are conducted to educate the public about elder abuse, its signs, reporting mechanisms,....
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