Elderly Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes

by

ABSTRACT

Several elderly individuals are abused in their personal home and even in the facility areas that provide them care. This research aims to cover different types of elder abuse, potential indicators of abuse, prevalence, intervention, causes and prevention of elderly abuse. More research studies are needed to be conducted on the role of tension among caregivers, that is mainly considered to be the common cause of elder abuse. The increase in the level of abusive behavior requires much attention on the relationship between care recipient and caregiver. Whereas it can be obvious that lack of support or social isolation can contribute to neglect or abuse, the individuals who suffer abuse in these conditions are mainly unwilling to take part in the social interaction programmes, like day-care activities or elderly centers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACTii

Introduction1

Types and Potential Indicators of Elder Abuse1

Physical Abuse1

Sexual Abuse2

Psychological Abuse3

Financial Abuse3

Neglect4

The Incidence and Prevalence of Elder Abuse4

Intervention5

The Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative5

Training and Education for Mandated Reporters6

Projects of Financial Safety6

Center of Excellence6

Systems Change6

Technical and Convening Assistance Center7

Self-Neglect7

Potential Factors Leading to Self-Neglect7

Possible Causes of Elder Abuse10

Prevention11

REFERENCES13

Working Outline20

Elderly Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes

Introduction

The dramatic rise in the elderly population of America has several implications for the health care system. This has fueled the identification of needs of elderly population. This has a significant influence on issues regarding economics, justice and social welfare.

Types and Potential Indicators of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse includes the following six classes: sexual, neglect, financial, discrimination and psychological. The section below provides an overview of the types of elder abuse, and the potential indicators that are related to these classes. The list that has been provided below is not a complete list. There are clear overlaps between particular categories and its potential indicators (Simpon & McGarry, 2009). The elder abuse indicators can also be understated and because of this reason it is critical to take into consideration a holistic image of an old age individual in any case where doubt of abuse has came up.

Physical Abuse

This type of abuse can be most common and can include:

Factures, burns, bruising and cuts that are inconsistent with a considerable justification

Bruising in different healing stages

Bruising with uncommon patterns or shapes, for instance, marks of finger

The individual being flinching or nervous

The individual covering up with clothes

Burns of cigarette

Hair loss

Mysterious welts and bruises on body, arms, thighs, lips, face, buttocks or back

Mysterious burns, particularly on back and palm, soles, burns of immersion, burns of rope, burns of carpet or electric appliance

Symptoms of medicinal misuse

Utilization of furniture and any other equipment to control movement of an individual, by making use of restraint

Fail to report to obvious harm

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in older individuals is contact with an old individual, without the consent of the individual. This contact can be any physical act sex, however activities like making an old individual to watch certain acts of sex, or forcing the old person for any kind act also comes under the category of sexual abuse (Simpon & McGarry, ...