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Course Sample:
Introduction Elder abuse occurs in all cultures, societies, and countries. About one and a half million older adults in the United States are abused every year (Fontaine, 2003). In Canada, about four percent of older adults living in private homes report that they have been abused or neglected (Canadian Health Network, 1999). The true figures for abuse may be much higher than these estimates. Experts believe that most cases of elder abuse are never reported. Elder abuse occurs in the older person's own home. It occurs in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement homes, hospitals, and hospices. Elder abuse can occur anywhere. It can occur to anyone. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE? Elder abuse is often called "older adult abuse" or "senior abuse". There is no one accepted definition of elder abuse. Different states, countries, and cultures define elder abuse in a variety of ways. Elder abuse has been described as treating older persons in a way that causes them harm or that is likely to harm them (Hogstel and Curry, 1999). Elder abuse can be divided into three categories. These are domestic elder abuse, institutional elder abuse, and self-neglect or self-abuse. Domestic elder abuse occurs at home when an older person is badly treated by someone close to the older person. The abuser can be a spouse, a child, a friend, or other caregiver. Institutional elder abuse is any abuse that occurs in homes for older persons such as nursing homes, group homes, or foster homes. In this case, a healthcare worker, usually a paid caregiver, abuses the older client. Self-neglect or self-abuse occurs when older people do not take care of themselves, or when they harm themselves on purpose (National Center on Elder Abuse [NCEA], 2003). Elder abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, self-neglect, and financial abuse. These types of abuse are discussed in more detail further on in the program. Something to Think About? It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Charles H. Spurgeon CONSIDER FOR A MOMENT? Can you think of any factors that might increase the risk of abuse of older adults? WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE? Some older adults are more likely than others to be abused. About 68% of elder abuse victims are women. The chances of being abused increase with age. The older a person gets, the greater is the risk of being abused. The typical abused adult is female and over 75 years of age. |
