Elderly Abuse Essay

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One in ten senior citizens living in the United States have experienced some form of abuse (Elder Abuse), and hundreds of thousands over the age of 65 years old are neglected, abused or financially taken advantage of(Elder Abuse). Elderly Abuse is a huge issue in America that many people are not aware of. Elderly Abuse is (“Fast Facts”) any form of mistreatment or cruel behavior towards an older person. Elderly Abuse can take place in many different settings including nursing homes, senior living centers and even in their own homes. The abuse can be caused or done by a primary caregiver, a close friend or even a family member. As people age, their mental and physical health naturally starts to decline. They may not be strong enough or even …show more content…

Slapping kicking and smaching a form of physical abuse. Physical abuse against elderly people may be committed by a friend, family member, or staff members or other caregivers. Some Examples of physical abuse against elderly people are Most people put their parents or grandparents in nursing homes thinking it will be a safe place for them to live in. Sadly, Nursing Homes do not always provide the safe setting that is expected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 3 Nursing Homes in the United States has been issued citations for abuse. And according to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 60% of adults aged 65 or older suffered some type of abuse in a community setting or nursing homes between 2017 and 2018. I have seen countless surveillance camera footage of an elderly person being beaten, rough handled, and yelled at by their caregivers and nurses, sometimes in hospitals where they should be treated and cared for. Not all caregivers abuse their patients, however do your best to be extremely cautious when choosing a caregiver for your loved ones. The warning signs include, bruises, bite marks, cuts, burns, scratches and visible …show more content…

Neglect is the “failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs”(CDC). Neglect occurs when a person who is responsible for taking care of the older adult who needs help, leaves them alone for too long intentionally or unintentionally. Elderly people are more vulnerable to neglect since they are more likely to have difficulty completing duties on their own and may be dependent on others. Some examples of neglect that can happen to elderly people include, (“Types of Abuse”) not providing them with necessary food, shelter, clothing hygiene, and essential medical care. Because they are human beings and they may feel uncared for or unloved sometimes, not being around them and abandoning them for too long can cause them emotional