Over the years elderly mistreatment has been recognized as a social problem that has affected the society at large. The magnitude of the problem is uncertain but it is increasing in the United States and other countries in the world. Elderly abuse can be referred to as an intentional act to cause a risk which is intended to harm the old people in the society (Kuba, 2018). It is established universally that an elderly person is an individual above the age of 60 years. The elderly people require attention from their family members and caregivers to perform crucial activities like drinking and eating. The abuse happens at the hands of the family members, friends, and caregivers who the elder people trust. However, those bestowed with these responsibilities have neglected the elderly people and thus making it a social problem in the United States. Moreover, it has been established that family members are busy and thus they do not have time to attend to the needs of the elderly (Mala, 2018). Physical and elderly abuse is a serious social problem in the United States and other parts of the world that needs to be taken care of by all members of the society.
The elderly people have been mistreated by those people they trust for a long time. Various initiatives have been put across to address domestic violence and child abuse but the issue of elderly abuse has remained hidden from the public view since it occurs in the private setting (Babypaul, 2015). Elderly abuse is considered as a social welfare problem associated with aging and thus it has become a criminal justice and public health concern in the society. It has been established that there are various forms of elder abuse which to some extent involves threats or intimidation. Some of the abuses include financial trickery and neglect by those they trust. Physical abuse of the elderly can be inflicted through force that leads to injury and physical pain (Nerenberg, 2014). Elderly abuse may lead to emotional or psychological distress which is a result of yelling to the older people, ridicule, humiliation, isolating them from other members of the society and ignoring their needs. The elderly people may suffer sexual abuse and some individuals might take advantage without their consent due to their age and lack of energy to resist.
On the other hand, the elderly people might be neglected by those who have the obligation of giving them proper care. Indeed, this accounts to almost half of the cases reported of elder abuse in the United States. The elderly people are prone to financial exploitation by those around them as they might use the funds and property without the authorization of the owners. For instance, unscrupulous family members and caregivers might steal cash, impersonate and misuse the credit cards and personal checks of the elderly people (Engdahl, 2011). Ultimately, the elderly people can be affected by healthcare abuse and fraud as result of not offering healthcare services but instead charge for it, double-billing, overmedication among others.
Physical and elder abuse is a grave problem in the United States and other parts of the world. There is no doubt that most cases have not been reported since most of the elderly people are afraid to report to the authorities incidences of abuse because they fear for their lives. Indeed, elderly abuse has many emotional and physical effects on the victims and thus there are several risk factors associated with the problem. These risk factors are detrimental to the lives of the elderly people in the United States. Most of the abuse is limited to the domestic environment of the victims. One of the major risk factors of physical and elderly abuse is lack of support from potential family members to the caregivers. Indeed, this situation might render the caregiver and the elderly person to be socially isolated since they spend almost all the time together (Mala, 2018). These settings can make the caregiver to experience stress and thus inflict pain on the elderly.
It is important to understand the needs of the elderly in the society and thus look for ways to curb the abuse of the elders before it commences. First, it is crucial to have an impression of the challenges that face elders and caregivers and thus offer the required support. Also, it is important to educate the society about the implication of elder abuse and in case it happens, they report to the family, friends, and police. Since most of the elders suffer social isolation, it vital for the concerned people to check in and spend time with the elderly people in the society (Babypaul, 2015). Ultimately, it is vital to offer emotional support to the over-burdened members through counseling and promote their emotional well-being.
To a greater extent, physical and elderly abuse is a serious problem in the United States and other parts of the world since most of the incidences happen in the domestic setting of the victims. There is need to understand the essential needs of the elderly in the society to mitigate the challenges that come with the abuse. Ultimately, it is important for those who inflict pain to the elderly to understand that aging is a natural aspect of the life cycle and thus in future, they might find themselves in the same situation (Kuba, 2018). Negative attitudes associated with aging should be discouraged and thereby allow the older people to live in dignity whereby they are free from exploitation and abuse.
References
Babypaul, D., Czernicki, M., " Kunnumpurath, S. (2015). Substance Abuse in the Elderly. Substance Abuse, 495-501. Doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1951-2_36
Engdahl, S. (2011). The elderly. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Kuba, R. (2018). Prevention and Management of Elder Abuse. Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly in India, 217-238. Doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-6116-5_14
Mala Kapur Shankardass. (2018). Perspectives on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly in India. Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly in India, 19-27. Doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-6116-5_2
Nerenberg, L. (2014). Elder abuse prevention: Emerging trends and promising strategies. New York: Springer Pub.
