Abuse and neglect of the older adults are defined as repeated actions of inappropriate violation of entrusted responsibilities that create distress and harm to the older person. Abuse of the elderly has been an aggravating factor contributed by family violence, public health facilities, and criminal justice organizations. Wang, Brisbin, Loo, and Straus (2015) argue that most of the significant indicators of older adults’ abuse are increased mortalities, hospitalization, and amendments of criminal cases subjecting the elderly to maximum sentences.
According to the recent research, geriatric conditions such as dementia and malfunctioning of body organs have been inappropriately addressed among the older adults. The geriatric issues are commonly associated with older adults, signifying levels of impairments, fatigue, malnutrition, and high levels of pressure. These geriatric issues may lead to permanent disability, and low life expectancy is not well addressed (Labrum and Solomon 2017). The people entrusted to take care of the older adults have abandoned their responsibilities, making the misuse of older adults a global concern. The older adults may, however, fake situations such that it appears serious than it should be. In conditions where the older adults are unable to provide consent (dementia), the entrusted caretakers may take advantage and engage them in sexual mistreatment.
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Based on history and perceptions in society, people use different forms of authority to control the situations of the elderly in society. The following are some forms of abuse of the elderly in the community as recognized by the United States laws. Physical abuse is the most common mistreatment among the elderly, where the health institutions may give the wrong medication to older adults, unfair confinement, and withdrawing treatment (Johnson, 2015). Financial abuse is another underreported mistreatment of the elderly, where the family members use finances either to cater to other forms of abuse or for personal use other than the intended. Most of the elderly adults emotionally suffer when they are ignored, blamed, or constantly ridiculed over an extended time.
References
Johnson, Christopher, JD. (2015) "Elder Abuse: Neglect and Self Abuse" , California.
Labrum T, Solomon PL. (2017). “Elder mistreatment perpetrators with substance abuse and/or mental health conditions: Results from the National Elder Mistreatment Study.” Psychiatric Quarterly
Wang, X. M., Brisbin, S., Loo, T., & Straus, S. (2015). Elder abuse: an approach to identification, assessment, and intervention. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal.
