On Elder Abuse
Barbados Advocate, Editorial
6/25/2009
6/25/2009
Barbados recently participated in the global observance on June 15 of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and, last weekend, in this connection, we heard of the imminent passage of legislation to proscribe abuse of the elderly. We are not nearly as sanguine as the Honourable Minister of Family, Youth and Sport, Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo that, as she put it; “…the law [will] put a stop to the practice…” since we are not entirely persuaded that the law by itself suffices to eradicate criminality. However, we are mindful that the assiduous enforcement of any such legislation will further demonstrate our society’s commitment to punishing the perpetrators of this harmful conduct, and to that extent we fully support its enactment.
We recognise the difficulty of identifying elder abuse given the environments in which it usually takes place – the home or institutional settings – and the fear or reluctance of the primary victims to name their abusers. Further, while the evidence of physical abuse might be immediately apparent, even if explained away on other grounds to protect the perpetrator or through fear of retaliation; other forms of abuse such as emotional abuse – intimidation and neglect –, healthcare fraud – overmedication and fictional charges – and financial exploitation – identity theft, forged signatures and the stealing of social security benefits – might go undetected for a substantial period.
Those who are charged with the enforcement of the legislation and those who have the interest of the elderly person at heart must therefore be on the alert for the symptoms and signs of these forms of abuse. Education in this regard will thus become necessary. There should also be statutory provision for the mandatory reporting of suspected elder abuse by those who may be witnesses to this or have reasonable suspicion that it is occurring such as medical personnel, financial institutions and social workers. Telephone help lines should be made available for reporting abuse to eldercare agencies or to an ombudsman with the appropriate powers of investigation.
Finally, we agree with Acting Senior Welfare Officer, Mr. James Cummins, that the abuse of the elderly is not a private matter. As he said, we are thereby denying the victims their civil rights and, we would add, their dignity as human beings. It is high time that we seek to recognise and punish this wrong against our growing demographic of elder citizens.
We recognise the difficulty of identifying elder abuse given the environments in which it usually takes place – the home or institutional settings – and the fear or reluctance of the primary victims to name their abusers. Further, while the evidence of physical abuse might be immediately apparent, even if explained away on other grounds to protect the perpetrator or through fear of retaliation; other forms of abuse such as emotional abuse – intimidation and neglect –, healthcare fraud – overmedication and fictional charges – and financial exploitation – identity theft, forged signatures and the stealing of social security benefits – might go undetected for a substantial period.
Those who are charged with the enforcement of the legislation and those who have the interest of the elderly person at heart must therefore be on the alert for the symptoms and signs of these forms of abuse. Education in this regard will thus become necessary. There should also be statutory provision for the mandatory reporting of suspected elder abuse by those who may be witnesses to this or have reasonable suspicion that it is occurring such as medical personnel, financial institutions and social workers. Telephone help lines should be made available for reporting abuse to eldercare agencies or to an ombudsman with the appropriate powers of investigation.
Finally, we agree with Acting Senior Welfare Officer, Mr. James Cummins, that the abuse of the elderly is not a private matter. As he said, we are thereby denying the victims their civil rights and, we would add, their dignity as human beings. It is high time that we seek to recognise and punish this wrong against our growing demographic of elder citizens.
Abridged
SOURCE: Barbados Advocate - Barbados
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