Essay on Neglect of the Elderly - 1202 Words

The Neglect of the Elderly With the growing number of senior citizens in our expanding society, abuse and neglect of the elderly is a widespread issue in our society. Neglect can come in many ugly forms and can be quite horrifying when actually investigated. When we as a society fail to meet the needs of our senior community we are only creating a perhaps dreadful prelude to our own inevitable destiny. Elder neglect is the failure to fulfill obligations to a senior citizen. According to one report, it accounts for 49% of elder abuse cases (Protecting the Older Adult, Nursing, July 2000). Neglect comes in many forms. A caregiver is required to supply sufficient amounts of nourishment, a comfortable shelter, safety,†¦show more content†¦(Litigating the Pressure Sore Case, Lesley Clement, Forum Vol. 30 (6), August 2000). A resident that is bedridden or confined to a wheelchair must be repositioned at least every two hours in order to relieve pressure on specific areas. Bedsores that are neglec ted or untreated can cause tissue to deteriorate becoming painfully infected. Prevention requires adequate staffing putting in time and actual effort. The fact whether the neglect was intentional or not is not the important issue, it is whether the safety of the resident has been compromised as in allowing a resident with Alzheimers to roam unsupervised outside the facility. Staff may be more susceptible to elder abuse if they are stressed by too many responsibilities, are deficient in training, work under deprived conditions or just not suited to care giving in nursing homes. Many elders who are cared for in the homes of their family members, who are responsible for their direct care, are also being abused through neglect. This type of neglect is harder to detect. Friends and members of the family might just chalk up signs of abuse to the fact that the elder might be showing signs of dementia or just basic old age syndrome. Elders may not be able to stand up for themselves in abusi ve conditions especially if they are frail and not thinking, seeing or hearing as well as they used to. They depend on their caregivers to assist them. FamilyShow MoreRelatedElderly Abuse And Neglect Of The Elderly2651 Words   |  11 PagesIntroduction: Elderly abuse is no longer the â€Å"quite as kept† family secret. Due to the economic pressures of families reuniting to make ends-meat and the medical treatment with improved diets, which adds to the length of life contributes to family stressors. These stresses may present themselves in the form of sexual, physical, psychological, emotional and fiscal abuse. This paper will give exposure to many known causes and treatment, analyze current and past data outlining the potential riseRead MoreElderly Neglect Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pagesliving for the elderly to be cared for in their golden years have turned into a nightmare for senior citizens across the country, being a target for countless acts of neglect and abuse. â€Å"It is an unfortunate fact that elder abuse is a widespread problem and older adults are exposed to abuse not only in domestic settings, but also in human service settings. Maltreatment of Patients in Nursing Homes† (Lee, 2007 Para.1) The thought of the matter is disturbing, but the abuse and neglect of our eldersRead MoreThe Neglect and Abuse of the Elderly778 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿The Neglect and Abuse of the Elderly It is an image that no one wants to imagine ¦your dear grandmother, sitting there in a nursing home all alone in a time of need. 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This includes pure financial exploitation (PFE), physical abuse, neglect by others or self, and hybrid financial exploitation (HFE). PFE is elder financial exploitation without any other abuse cited. PFE is usually conducted by unknown individuals to the elderly victim, as in mortgage or home improvement scams. HFE is a combination of elder financial exploitation that includes neglect and/or abuse. HFE usually occurs when the victim is dependent on their caregiver who hasRead MoreElderly Abuse Prevention, Id entification And Treatment Act1646 Words   |  7 Pages Elderly abuse Each year thousands of individuals are abused and neglected including elderly persons. Many have stated that because of their age, frailness leaves them vulnerable to society. The majority depends on their caregiver to meet their basic need because they cannot help themselves. 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