Elder Abuse

Term Paper # 102971

Aging
Sociology

Elder Abuse

An overview of the problem of elder abuse in the United States and what can be done to prevent it.

1,664 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how elder abuse is a problem that was swept under the rug for many years, but is being addressed more now than it has ever before. It discusses how, once training is available to those providing home care to their relatives, then the incidence of elder abuse should drop significantly and how this combined with more public knowledge on elder abuse, would decrease the incidence of elder abuse even more.

Outline:
Is Elder Abuse the Result of a Lack of Knowledge and Lack of Help?
Yes
No
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In our society, shipping our loved one off to a nursing home is not normally the first option. Most do not want a stranger taking care of a person they care about and the cost can also be an issue. Often, caregivers do not realize how difficult caring for an elderly person actually is and dive into without knowing proper techniques of care. This situation can lead to stress and depression in the caregiver, which can impair their normal thought and action process leading to higher rates of elder abuse. Again, if education and support was more readily available, these reactions would lessen. Not only that, but more caregivers are adult children who also have their own lives and may require help learning how to be patient. In cases of a spouse providing care, the spouse also tends to be older and may not be physically capable of providing proper care. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Brandl, Bonnie, and Loree Cook-Daniels. Domestic Abuse in Later Life:Causation Theories. National Center on Elder Abuse. NCEA, 2002. 1-8. 2 Oct. 2006<http://www.elderabusecenter.org/pdf/research/risks.pdf>.
Gross, Jane. "Forensic Skills Seek to Uncover Elder Abuse." The New York Times 27 Sept. 2006. 29 Sept. 2006<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/us/27abuse.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>.
Tatara, Toshio, and Lisa M. Kuzmeskus. Types of Elder Abuse in Domestic Settings. National Center on Elder Abuse. Washington D.C.:NCEA, 1999. 1-2. 2 Oct. 2006<http://www.elderabusecenter.org/pdf/basics/fact1.pdf>.
Wiltz, Teresa. "Astor Heiress Was Neglected Scandalously, Suit Charges." The Washington Post 27 July 2006. 30 Sept. 2006<http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/1084023191.html?dids=1084023191:1084023191&FTM=ABS&FTMS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=Jul+27%2C+2006&author=Teresa+Wiltz+-+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&desc=Astor+Heiress+Was+Neglected+Scandoulously%2C+Suit+Charges