Respect the elderly – we all get old some day!
4/19/2009
By Danielle Holder
Even though it has existed for quite some time now, abuse of elderly persons is increasingly being brought to light.
Elder abuse can be broadly defined as the deliberate neglect and mistreatment of an elderly person, especially one who is no longer in a position (either physically or mentally) to take care of himself and depends on another person to provide this function.
Like domestic abuse, there are different types of geriatric abuse:
• Physical abuse. This refers to the deliberate use of unnecessary force, restraint or confinement against the victim. Actions include hitting, pushing and also the malicious or inappropriate administration of drugs and medication.
• Emotional abuse. This refers to those actions which cause emotional or psychological distress or anguish. This can be further divided into two categories: Verbal abuse, including yelling, cursing, insulting, etc. and non-verbal abuse, such as ignoring the individual or isolating him from the outside world.
• Sexual abuse. This includes most obviously attempting to or engaging in sexual activity against the victim’s will, as well as showing him or her pornographic material or forcing the individual to watch sex acts.
• Neglect: This is failure of the caretaker to perform the duties of his or her job and refusing to provide the (level of) care deserving of and needed by the victim.
• Financial abuse and exploitation: This is the dishonest access to and use of the victim’s funds. These include cash, cheques (personal, disability, pension, etc.) credit cards, forgery of the victim’s signature and identity theft.
Here in Barbados, some people have taken to essentially “dumping” their elderly relatives at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Geriatric Hospital and even the Psychiatric Hospital because they either can’t be bothered, or in some cases, don’t have the necessary money or help to provide the care that is needed. Often times they are left lonely and forgotten; the burden of the Government. It is truly a very sad and disheartening reality. No one disputes the fact that caring for an elderly person can be tiring and at times frustrating, but their abuse never should be allowed to happen in the first place, much less continue.
4/19/2009
By Danielle Holder
Even though it has existed for quite some time now, abuse of elderly persons is increasingly being brought to light.
Elder abuse can be broadly defined as the deliberate neglect and mistreatment of an elderly person, especially one who is no longer in a position (either physically or mentally) to take care of himself and depends on another person to provide this function.
Like domestic abuse, there are different types of geriatric abuse:
• Physical abuse. This refers to the deliberate use of unnecessary force, restraint or confinement against the victim. Actions include hitting, pushing and also the malicious or inappropriate administration of drugs and medication.
• Emotional abuse. This refers to those actions which cause emotional or psychological distress or anguish. This can be further divided into two categories: Verbal abuse, including yelling, cursing, insulting, etc. and non-verbal abuse, such as ignoring the individual or isolating him from the outside world.
• Sexual abuse. This includes most obviously attempting to or engaging in sexual activity against the victim’s will, as well as showing him or her pornographic material or forcing the individual to watch sex acts.
• Neglect: This is failure of the caretaker to perform the duties of his or her job and refusing to provide the (level of) care deserving of and needed by the victim.
• Financial abuse and exploitation: This is the dishonest access to and use of the victim’s funds. These include cash, cheques (personal, disability, pension, etc.) credit cards, forgery of the victim’s signature and identity theft.
Here in Barbados, some people have taken to essentially “dumping” their elderly relatives at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Geriatric Hospital and even the Psychiatric Hospital because they either can’t be bothered, or in some cases, don’t have the necessary money or help to provide the care that is needed. Often times they are left lonely and forgotten; the burden of the Government. It is truly a very sad and disheartening reality. No one disputes the fact that caring for an elderly person can be tiring and at times frustrating, but their abuse never should be allowed to happen in the first place, much less continue.
Let us respect and revere our grandparents and great-grandparents; treat them the way you would want to be treated at their age, as they were the ones who worked so hard many years ago to build a society which we now enjoy. As the theme song of that old commercial goes, “Don’t abandon them, lend a helping hand and remember they are treasures of our land”.
Abridgged
SOURCE: Barbados Advocate - Barbados
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