Caregivers Taking Advantage of Senior Citizens

Caregivers Taking Advantage of Senior Citizens

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult (Administration of Aging).   In today’s society, elders are being harassed and taken advantage of strictly because of their age.  As elders age and become more physically frail, they`re less able to stand up to bullying and or fight back if attacked.  Since they may not be as sharp in terms of seeing, hearing, and even just thinking clearly.  It leaves gaps for people to take advantage of them (Help Guide).  The various types of elder abuse include; physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation.  Thousands of elders around the world are under the radar in terms of abuse, there concerns and opinions are ignored because of their age.

            Elder abuse has been an ongoing issue that our society has been struggling with for years. I have witnessed this issue first hand and can understand the anger and frustration that the older citizens of society are feeling. A perfect example of elder abuse was discovered when I was walking down the road in Houghton, Michigan when I passed this little old well kept home.  At the door were 3 teenagers and the homeowner who was an older woman.  The teenagers were asking for money to support a charity, as the old lady went to open her wallet.  The teenagers pushed her down the stairs, grabbing her wallet from her hands and took off running.  I couldn’t believe my eyes, I mean, in my family I was raised to respect and help all elders.  It is just common courtesy, something nothing theses teenagers had.  When I looked into her eyes as I was helping her up, I could see tears.  This is when I realized that something has to be done, people cant be getting away with treating the people who brought them into this world like this.  There people with the same rights as everyone else.  In fact, we should be making their lives easier by helping them out and giving them benefits as some are unfit to take care of themselves.  The most common types of elderly abuse are physical and emotional abuse.  Physical abuse is a non-accidental use of force against and elderly person that results in physical pain, injury, or impairment.  Such abuse includes not only physical assaults such as hitting or shoving but also the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement (Help Guide).  Where as on the other hand, emotional abuse can be verbal in terms of intimidating, threatening, blaming and humiliating elders.  Also, there have been many cases of elderly individuals being ignored, isolated and terrorized across the region.   Another issue that seniors are constantly facing is the financial exploitation abuse.  Many so called “caregivers” misuse elders personal checks, credit cards, steel cash, income checks, household goods and even engage in forging signatures (Help Guide).  I think that society should be investing in a plan to benefit seniors.  Aging is a part of life, and everyone will at some point in life become old.  There should be better health benefits, higher monthly income rates, and a reliable source of public transportation.  The first step to help put an end to this worldwide problem is by making people more aware of what is actually happening in our society. 

In my opinion, I think that society is in an era where younger citizens have lost respect for our elders.   After reflecting on this sad topic, I put my self in elderly persons shoes.  And thought to my self, how would I like it if I got bullied around for being fragile and slower to react?  It is not fair that they have to live this way after being around so much longer then we have.    In the near future, society must increase senior benefits across the globe, to help the elders who are the reason we stand here today!

References

Elder Abuse and Neglect: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, Help. (n.d.). Helpguide helps you help yourself and others. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm

What is Elder Abuse? (n.d.). Administration on Aging. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/Elder_Rights/EA_Prevention/whatIsEA.aspx

Drew