Nursing home abuse is a growing concern. Approximately 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect. It is concluded that elders who experience abuse, tend to die earlier that those who are not abused. Elder abuse is physical, emotional or physiological harm on an older adult. Physical abuse can be slapping, shoving and restraining with ropes and chains. When a caregiver uses force to cause pain or injury, even if the reason is to help the older person, the behavior can be regarded as abusive. Physical abuse included hitting, beating, pushing, kicking, pinching, burning, biting, over-or under medicating, withholding food, or exposing the person to severe weather conditions.
Emotional or psychological abuse can include name-calling, giving the silent treatment, insults and threats, treating the older person like a child, isolating the person from family, friends, and regular activities by force or threats or through manipulation. Abusive behavior is when a family member, a caregiver, or another person causes fear, mental anguish, and emotional pain or distress.
Sexual abuse is contact with an elderly person without the elder’s consent. This includes physical sex acts, showing pornographic pictures and forcing the elder to undress.
In every state physical, sexual and financial abuses among elders violate laws against assault, rape, theft, and other offenses are punishable as crimes. Most times elders do not report their abuse because they fear the outcome of it and also the fear that no one will want to take care of them, if they report the abuser. If the caregiver happens to be the elderly children then they feel ashamed to report the incidence because somehow they end up blaming themselves for the abuse, for example; they say if they were a better parent then this would not be happening to them.
Work Cited
http://www.geocities.com/~elderly-place/abuse.html
http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/abuse.html
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Blog #3 - Adult Day Care
Adult Day Care has been in existence for over 20 years. These centers were designed in mind to give a break to caregivers such as family members who are caring for their loved one day and night. They also provide health services, therapeutic services, and social activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, and other associated problems that the elderly might developed. There are adult day care centers that are specially catered to the dementia population.
Adult Day Care gives caregivers an opportunity to pursue a career outside of the house, get assistance for their loved one and most importantly not feeling as if you have let down your loved one by placing them in an institutional care. The elderly also benefit from this greatly. He or she can still see and be in the presence and comfort of their family and environment. At the adult day care, the elderly can socialize with others of their same age status, engage in activities, receive speech or physical therapy and get help with any activities.
To get an overview of the adult day care, a day there can consist of; supervised care, small group and individual activities such as reminiscence, sensory stimulation, music, art and intergenerational activities; nutritious meals; transportation; case management; recreation and exercise; nursing care; education; family counseling; assistance with activities of daily living; and occupational, speech and physical therapies. These services are tailored according to each of the elderly needs.
There are three types of adult day care. (1) Adult day social care provides social activities, meals, recreation, and some health related services. (2) Adult day health care provides intensive health, therapeutic, and social services for individuals with severe medical problems and for those at risk of nursing home care. (3) Alzheimer’s specific adult day care provides social and health services only to persons with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
According to Eldercare Online, one should seriously consider using an adult day care when an elderly; can no longer structure his or her own daily activities, is isolated and needs companionship, cannot safely be left at home and lives with someone who works outside the home or who is away from home.
There are many ways that you can go around looking for an adult day care. You can ask; your family doctor, local social services or health department, mental health centers, local senior centers, Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 for AAA in your area) and finally the Yellow pages listing under Adult Day Care Aging Services.
Work Cited
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/adult_day_care_centers.htm
http://www.blessedadultcare.org/
http://www.genuinecareadultctr.com/
Adult Day Care gives caregivers an opportunity to pursue a career outside of the house, get assistance for their loved one and most importantly not feeling as if you have let down your loved one by placing them in an institutional care. The elderly also benefit from this greatly. He or she can still see and be in the presence and comfort of their family and environment. At the adult day care, the elderly can socialize with others of their same age status, engage in activities, receive speech or physical therapy and get help with any activities.
To get an overview of the adult day care, a day there can consist of; supervised care, small group and individual activities such as reminiscence, sensory stimulation, music, art and intergenerational activities; nutritious meals; transportation; case management; recreation and exercise; nursing care; education; family counseling; assistance with activities of daily living; and occupational, speech and physical therapies. These services are tailored according to each of the elderly needs.
There are three types of adult day care. (1) Adult day social care provides social activities, meals, recreation, and some health related services. (2) Adult day health care provides intensive health, therapeutic, and social services for individuals with severe medical problems and for those at risk of nursing home care. (3) Alzheimer’s specific adult day care provides social and health services only to persons with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
According to Eldercare Online, one should seriously consider using an adult day care when an elderly; can no longer structure his or her own daily activities, is isolated and needs companionship, cannot safely be left at home and lives with someone who works outside the home or who is away from home.
There are many ways that you can go around looking for an adult day care. You can ask; your family doctor, local social services or health department, mental health centers, local senior centers, Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 for AAA in your area) and finally the Yellow pages listing under Adult Day Care Aging Services.
Work Cited
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/adult_day_care_centers.htm
http://www.blessedadultcare.org/
http://www.genuinecareadultctr.com/
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