The opioid epidemic has tenaciously affected the elderly population leading to misuse and abuse. The Elderly Justice Coordinating Council reveals that elderly abuse influences the elderly social, health, and economic aspects with over 10% of the total population of senior Americans being abused. Elderly abuse takes physical, psychological, verbal, social, sexual, economic and financial exploitation forms because they are often neglected, ignored, and vulnerable to abuse (Elder Justice Council Meeting n.d.). I believe that the abuse of the elderly and opioids epidemic are the significant issues in the lives of older population in America.
As the society world ageing population continue to increase the cases of elderly abuse continue to rise rapidly exposing the elderly to physical injuries, emotional and psychological consequences. According to research analysis and statistics, elderly abuse occurs in the community and institutional setting with the highest rates occurring in institutional facilities. The occurrence of abuse through negligence, abandonment and loss of dignity and respect especially in the long term care facilities entrusted with catering to the health, emotional, and psychological needs (Chang, 2018). Since many cases are unreported, the elderly community continue to suffer abuse hence the need for action and intervention.
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From my analysis, the increase in abuse and addiction of the elderly occur through fraud schemes, threats and fake prizes. Such occurrences forces them to give away their hard-earned savings and deprive them of their dignity and peace of mind. On the other significant problem of opioids addiction, older adults form the highest number of addicts as they suffer from chronic illnesses leaving them with persistent pain which increase the need for pain management (Chang, 2018). Being prone to susceptible conditions like bone fractures, organ failure, arthritis among other critical illnesses, subjects them to surgeries and the need for pain treatment using opioids. The long-term use of opioids for pain management leads to addiction making the elderly dependent on the pain relievers.
Opioids addiction for the elderly is not a new concept. It is a known fact that the majority of the older population lives in pain as a result of chronic diseases and surgeries but the increase in the number of addicts is alarming. Despite the need for pain management, the prescription of opioids by physicians was indicated by research to be resulting in overdoses as they offer more in attempts to tame pain making the elderly dependent on opioids and develop tolerance. As a result the elderly council and health organization have passed recommendation on opioids prescriptions to enhance safety and effectiveness (Chang, 2018). An agreement on prescription of opioids to the elderly for a week or less to reduce addiction cases and overdependence.
I champion for continued support to the Elderly Justice Coordinating Council in their efforts to eliminate elderly abuse and opioids crisis through interventions and prevention measures. By introducing hotlines for the elderly to report abuse, fraud, and negligence and the pursuit of justice through prosecution of fraudsters and those who financially exploit the elderly, I believe the council working together with other departments will safeguard and protect the elderly from exploitation, abuse and addiction.
I recommend the conduct of in-depth investigations on elderly abuse issues and stern actions for perpetrators. Health issues should also be keenly observed and catered for such as undertaking stern measures to reduce opioids addiction (Elder Justice Council Meeting n.d.). Regulation of opioids issuance through proper prescriptions will reduce and prevent addiction and misuse. It is also important to take into consideration other factors affecting the elderly such as the decline in abilities that can limit them when following instructions on medicines leading to misuse and addiction.
References
Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Azar Address Elder Justice Council Meeting [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.c-span.org/video/?446557-1/attorney-general-sessions-secretary-azar-address-elder-justice-council-meeting
Chang, Y. P. (2018). Prescription Drug Misuse in Older Adults. The Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic: Incidence, Treatment, Prevention, and Policy , 133 .
