Elder Abuse Though Shameful But a Fact
posted September 15, 2009 - 11:29am
Elder abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm or loss to an older person. It is generally divided into the following categories:
- Physical abuse is physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. It includes assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint.
- Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person.
- Domestic violence is an escalating pattern of violence by an intimate partner where the violence is used to exercise power and control.
- Psychological abuse is the willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct.
- Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or resources.
- Neglect is the failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her care giving responsibilities. Self-neglect is failure to provide for one's own essential needs.
How big a problem is it?
Although estimates vary, it is generally believed that 4-6% of the elderly are abused.
According to the National Incidence Study on Elder Abuse, approximately 450,000 elderly experienced abuse in 1996 nationwide. If self-neglect is included, the number is 551,000.
How serious a problem is it?
The personal losses associated with abuse can be devastating and include the loss of independence, homes, life savings, health, dignity, and security.
Victims of abuse have been shown to have shorter expectancies than non-abused older people.
Looking from the outside, it can be difficult to fully understand the severity of the psychological abuse and how deeply it affects us as individuals. Even if you are experienced and trained in dealing with these kinds of situations, the answers can still be confusing and puzzling as to the ramifications of these social problems.
Many times people receive psychological abuse from their very own family members. When this is the case, often, the victim feels as though they have no choice and no option. Instead they begin to feel trapped by their circumstances. When this happen the person experiencing the psychological abuse will feel as though they have no way to prevent this kind of behavior and are left without adequate defenses. This is especially true in the case when adults abuse children.
The same also hold true at the other end of the spectrum. Often the elderly feel as though they are left without any options as they become more and more dependent on those around them for support. As this individual grows older, and gradually begins to lose their energy, they may fall into a situation of psychological abuse.
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