|
I was always told to respect my elders and always show respect to the older generation. They have lived long lives and deserve to be treated with respect. Their wisdom and life experience is an asset no one can afford to be without. They are our history, our heritage, and the very essence of who we are and what place we hold in our society.
Today, too many are silently being abused. Our elderly are being mistreated in the worst way. Family, communities, and even medical facilities are just leaving them alone to die. Many are being physically abused, left alone for days without food, being denied the basics of living, and much more abuses which are just horrible. They deserve much better treatment then they are getting. In a country like ours, this should not be happening.
We our kids to show respect while we ourselves look the other way as the elderly person next door may have no food to eat. They worked hard, paid their taxes, raised families, contributed to their communities to get older and be left alone to die or much worse. They are the special part of who we are, and we treat them worse then we do our animals. As a society, we are just cold and unfeeling to allow this to continue. We all need to start taking this problem seriously.
Well, laws have been created to help to some degree, but we all need to take a stand. Visit the National Center On Elder Abuse to find out just how bad this problem has become. They can give you state hot-lines and tell you where you can report these crimes. They will also give you a bunch of information on the subject, and information on what you can do to help.
Back to Top
|
What is considered to be Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be:
Physical Abuse...Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
Emotional Abuse...Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Sexual Abuse...Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
Exploitation...Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
Neglect...Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.
Abandonment...The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
A more complete List of Major Types of Elder Abuse. Pictures and more complete descriptions are available there.
Back to Top
|
What are the warning signs?
While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs that there could be a problem are:
* Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
* Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse.
* Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexual abuse.
* Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
* Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.
* Behavior such as belittling, threats, and other uses of power and control by spouses are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
* Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person are also signs.
Read the section on Family Caregivers for more information about how caregivers can prevent elder abuse.
Most important is to be alert. The suffering is often in silence. If you notice changes in personality or behavior, you should start to question what is going on.
Back to Top
|
Most Abusers are Family Members.
Abusers of older adults are both women and men. Family members are more often the abusers than any other group. For several years, data showed that adult children were the most common abusers of family members; recent information indicates spouses are the most common perpetrators when state data concerning elders and vulnerable adults is combined.
The bottom line is that elder abuse is a family issue. As far as the types of abuse are concerned, neglect is the most common type of abuse identified. Review our Fact Sheet for more information about who abuses.
There is no excuse for anyone to look the other way. Getting involved is not that hard. Every problem discussed in this web site has to have community involvement to be stopped. To say you feel bad about it is not enough. To many times we sit at home in comfortable chairs and let the world happen without our making a fuss. Well it is our communities, and changes happen when communities ban together.
Remember on thing. One day we are all going to get older. When you are 70, 80, 90, etc; do you want to be treated this way. If we don't stop it now, then what does our future hold. Lets work to stop the madness. Lets protect these precious people. Without them none of us would be here. Offer them love, support, help, and the things they need to live out what time they have left with dignity and safety. This is the common right of us all. If we can't protect it for them, then we lose it for ourselves.
Lets keep out homes and communities safe and happy.
Frequently Asked Questions On Elder Abuse
Back to Top
|
Nursing Home Abuse of the Elderly
The family tries and tries, but they just can't do it anymore. Jobs, bills, kids, and other responsibilities mount up. On top of it they have to take care of an elderly person. It just keeps mounting as the stress level rises in their once happy home. They have weighted the pro's and con's. They have come to a conclusion that there is no other choice, but to put their elderly family member in a nursing home. They think they will get good care, and this will ease their stress.
After putting their loved one in a nursing home and some time passes, they notice the decline of their loved one. It is obvious to them that there has been neglect, but no one notices at the facility. They just give crazy excuses.
Below is an article with a link to a place which can help you. They can lead you to resources to help you deal with this problem. They can tell you what steps to take to report this abuse. No one has to accept that this is normal. We have a right to expect that our loved ones will get the care they deserve and need if we find that we have to put them in nursing homes.
Take a stand and protect the ones you love.
Is your loved one a victim of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect?
If someone you care about lives in a nursing home, you probably worry about nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect. You should not feel guilty or alone. Government and private research shows that nursing home residents throughout the United States have died or have been seriously injured as a result of nursing home neglect. The Consumer Justice Group is dedicated to helping these victims.
The Consumer Justice Group has nursing home abuse lawyers and doctors standing by to help you if you suspect that a loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer will review all reports and keep them completely confidential.
Reporting the nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect will help to protect other nursing home residents.
If you suspect nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, wonder if you have a lawsuit, or are simply interested in learning more, please call the number below. (1-800-434-6522)
You can learn about nursing home resident rights, types of elder abuse, ombudsmen, when and how to contact a lawyer. You can also read a question and answer column, breaking news, and articles about nursing homes. New content is added weekly; please contact us with suggestions for future content.
More information is available at the National Center on Elder Abuse.
|
|
