Elder Abuse: What It Is and How to Prevent It

The abuse of senior citizens is a growing problem. The psychological and mental health issues that surround this problem is the focus of an examination that Claudia Cooper and Gill Livingston carried out. They then penned an article in which they shed light on the challenges that the elderly grapple with and the factors that expose them to the risk of abuse. Dementia is among these factors. Cooper and Livingston found that a majority of senior citizens who suffered abuse had also developed Dementia. They also note that most victims of elder abuse suffer from depression and anxiety. They add that unhealthy consumption of alcohol is also a problem that victims of elder abuse report. Gill and Livingstone also examine those who offer care to elder citizens. They state that caregivers who perpetrate abuse are more likely to suffer from depression and are consumers of alcohol. Gill and Livingston conclude their article with words of caution and advice. They call for reform in the care of the elderly and for counseling services to be provided to the victims of abuse.

Gill and Livingston’s article explore a number of important issues that concern the welfare of the elderly. This article also makes it clear that it is vital to assess abuse and neglect when attending to the elderly. In the article, Gill and Livingston identify depression, alcohol abuse and dementia as among the risk factors for elder abuse. This is significant for care givers who need to give special attention to senior citizens who face these issues. This way, they will be able to shield the at-risk elderly against abuse. The issues that Gill and Livingston raise in their article also underscore the need for the implementation of prevention and intervention strategies at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Some of the strategies that can be used include public awareness campaigns and conducting background checks on caregivers (“How to Prevent”, n.d). Tackling ageism is yet another strategy that promises to prevent elder abuse. Families also have a role to play. They should take part in caring for their elderly members. They should also report any cases of abuse. The implementation of these and other measures will go a long way in creating safe spaces for the elderly.

References

Cooper, C. & Livingston, G. (2014). Mental Health/Psychiatric Issues in Elder Abuse and

Neglect. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 30 (4), 839-850.

How to Prevent Elder Abuse. (n.d). Retrieved 2 nd October 2017 from

http://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.org/news/how-to-prevent-elder-abuse/