Respect for the Elderly and Elder Abuse

Since starting this blog, a few years ago, I realize that Elder Absue is a global problem. I believe, the cause of many of the cases reported thus far, can be traced to having no respect for the elderly, pressure of living and pure greed. 


It is surprising to hear of countries in Asia, where respecting of the elderly is part of the culture, having to enact laws to stop people from abandoning elderly parents; or, to ensure that children pay 'parents maintenance'. India, Singapore and Tawan now has such laws; penalty to the children of abandoned elderly, can be fined or even put in jail.

These laws are brought in because there were enough cases of adult children abandoning or refused to help their elderly parents.
Will these laws be successful in getting rid of elder abuse?
It can only be a temporary measure.


The erosion of traditional cultural values may explain some instances of elder abuse in countries like Japan, Singapore and India. In any case, modern societies place a different kind of pressures on the younger generation; so much so that it seem unfair to expect them to take good and complete care of their elderly parents without the help of government. This is only my own opinion. I believe more study should be done on this subject.

For some countries in Asia, the social services for elderly can be considered as minimal compared to western countries like USA, UK and Australia. These government relied heavily on the traditional cultural values of "filial piety"; where the younger generation is expected to care for their parents.

It is therefore, not surprising that in recent years, Singapore and India have to enact laws to ensure that adult children continue to look after their parents. What is the alternative? It is an ongoing debate amongst the younger generation in these countries.

May be, visitors to this blog can come up with some suggestions.


In the next few weeks, I will  be posting cases of elder abuse from Asia.

.................... Andrew



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SPOTLIGHT ON ELDER ABUSE: THE PAST FEW YEARS

SPOTLIGHT ON ELDER ABUSE: THE PAST FEW YEARS

By Andrew Chadwick

Let me start with acknowledging the kindness and generosity of many authors of articles posted on this blog. This blog would not have been successful, if not for the many excellent articles written on the subject of Elder Abuse.

We must not be complacent of the fact that majority of Elder Abuse cases are NOT reported. These are cases where the elderly victims are too frightened of losing the only family they have or, because they believed they are somehow responsible for what happened to them.

We must continue to highlight the fact that Elder Abuse is NOT acceptable in any language, shape or form.

Neglect or inaction, when you are responsible for the health and welfare of your parent(s) or charge, is also elder abuse.

Do we tell the elderly: “Sorry, your claim to Human Rights has expired, when you turn 65 years old.”

It is incredible that aside from “so-called” inquiries/reports made by politicians to delay making definitive actions to stop Elder Abuse; nothing much has happened. This is still the scenario.

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Elder Abuse (INTERNATIONAL

August 5, 2011


I have been ill and have not posted as much. However, nothing much has changed, since I last look into all the news on Senior Issues.


Elder abuse is just as rampant as ever. Many politicians are still doing the 'keep face' routine of saying "Yes, we have put  XXX dollars into Aged Care" ... Blah..Blah..


Where are the media campaigns to highlight the fact that Elder Abuse; in any form or shape IS NOT ACCEPTABLE !


More importantly, where are the guidelines/actions to investigate into corruptions by crooked lawyers, carers, judges in the booming industry of Conservatorship/Guardianship. 


Of course, the other issue of financial and verbal abuse; plus Neglect of Elderly - perpetrated by family members. Those are never mentioned by governments.
Those cases are in the 'Too Hard Basket'.


Well. May I remind these people, that those abuses do not have any Divides at   
all. Every one of the policy makers and abusers will grow old, one day. Oh, of course, unless they take the easy way out.


I applaud my associates and other advocates for their efforts to highlight the issue of Elder Abuse. We need to empower seniors with information on this subject.


.................... Andrew








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Elder Abuse: No Justice (Tas. AUSTRALIA)

Elder Abuse: Case Closed and Buried (Australia)            

My associates and I are saddened by the news of the passing of M yesterday, in Launceston, Tasmania Australia.

M was ‘victimized’ by bureaucracy because of her inability to express herself in English.

As a resident of Australia for many years, one would have thought that what she had experienced at the hands of Organizations that were supposed to protect her.

According to our records, her case was brought to my attention a few years ago. M protested against a Guardianship ruling that she was ‘Demented’. She was placed under the ‘protection’ of the government through a guardianship decision. Her finances were taken over by ‘Public Trustees’.

I have viewed copies of medical specialists’ reports that M was not demented. 

More frightening for all seniors, is the ability of government appointed organizations taking over one’s life; even if you protested through help of willing, trusted friends.

Questions we need to ask of that State government:

1.   Why was her protests and assertions that part of her collection of gold coins had disappeared, were not looked into.

2.   Why was a second medical report on her capacity to manage her own affairs, denied?

3.   Why were details of her financial situation, not reported to her regularly?

4.   Why were people who spoke up for her; threatened with imprisonment?

Where is the Elder Abuse Strategy of the state government, when it came to the protection of this elderly woman.

Yes, we have been holding our breathes; waiting for some answers.

NO SUCH LUCK. THE VICTIM HAS DIED.

CASE CLOSED. ………..  NEXT CASE, PLEASE?

Before we get threats of imprisonment..... Please note that a close friend of M has boxes and boxes of documents on this case. She is worn out by the threats and harassment, when she was fighting for M. But, I'm sure she would be too happy to pass it over to someone genuinely seeking the truth of this case. 

 Cases like this does not happened in a rich, developed country like Australia?

Don’t kid yourself.

.............. Andrew




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Guardianship Abuse: No End in Sight - Now Cases in Australia

Guardianship Injustice

By Andrew Chadwick

12 October, 2009

It has been a long battle to get attention and justice for many of our senior citizens, who have been abused and cheated of their live savings; in the name of “…..looking after the well-being of the aged”.

The same laws, that were enacted to safeguard our seniors, have been misused by Guardianship Boards and some court systems.

There are a number of great sites on the net, highlighting the outrageous treatment of those elderly.  A few good sites on this issue:

Estate of Denial

National Association to Stop Guardianship Abuse

Elder Abuse Help

Guardianship Gulag

Victims of Guardians

Abusive Guardianships of the Elderly

The above list is not exhaustive.  There are a lot of elderly who have been abused by the system, but do not have friends or relatives who can highlight their cases.

Elder advocates for those who have been abused by the guardianship system, are often accused of “hidden agenda”. 

At the moment, it seems that guardianship abuse is confined to the USA.  This is far from the truth. I have received a huge amount of documents from someone in Tasmania, Australia, regarding a couple of cases that are unjust and authorities over there, just did not respond to enquiries posted by concerned friends and relatives.

No one, it seems, want to expose the alleged injustice done to 2 elderly ladies.  I will attempt to expose these 2 cases soon. What I gathered from documents provided by a tireless friend of the ladies in question; disturb me greatly. I believe, anyone who is mindful of human rights and care of the elderly, would want to know why these 2 cases in Australia, did not get the deserved attention of authorities and the media.

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Elder Abuse and Neglect: Some Questions Directed at Reporters

By Andrew

The following are some of the questions asked about reported elder abuse cases:

· It is a one-sided version of events;

· The ‘victim’ was not abused; he has a live after the abuse;

· It is a one-sided version of events;

· The ‘victim’ was not abused; he has a live after the abuse;

· Why can’t the ‘victim’ extract himself/herself from the situation?

· Why can’t the victim overturn the POA given?

· The reporter has a hidden agenda; in reporting the case.

· Are you a blood relative of the ‘victim’.

· You are reporting ‘abuse’ in your place of work to detract from your own inadequacy as a carer.

· Get on with your own life and mind your own business.

· It is family dynamics; leave them alone. Even the law cannot do anything!

It is a sad, sad scenario of denial and attempts at minimizing elder abuse.

Elder Abuse reports are almost always – one sided. In most cases, the abusers never attempted to present their own defense. There are no defense for elder abuse and neglect.

The fact that an elder abuse victim tried to live as normal a life (after the abuse) as he could does not mean that there was no abuse. Very often, more personal information are not revealed in a report, in reverence of the privacy rights of people involved. So, we should not take that as a sign of deceit or lies.

If a victim of elder abuse could remove himself/herself from the abusive situation there would not be any elder abuse case. There are a range of reasons why the victim could not do that; or report the case himself/herself.

Fear of abandonment of the carer or family member involved; has often been quoted as a reason why many victims of elder abuse did not report the case. They may not even realize that they had been abused. Many just take the abuses as their fault somehow – in the way they brought up their children. So, fear is a very powerful deterrent of non-reporting of elder abuse, by the victims.

Regarding the withdrawal of a Power of Attorney from the abuse – It is not that simple. How could you remove someone who has POA, if you were not the person who have given that power? There may also be other reasons for not been able to remove a POA once it was given. If the person given the POA is the only carer for the victim; fear of ‘withdrawal of care’ is too strong a deterrent for the victim.

Ignorance of their rights is another possible reason why a victim did not withdraw the POA from the abuser.

Motives of Reporters of Elder Abuse

This is another hurdle that reporters tend to be confronted with. What is your motive? It is a reason why many people do not want to be involved in reporting elder abuse. This is exactly what happened in the early years of child abuse. People just do not want to be the ‘bad guy’ in reporting the case.

Are we so materialistic that we assume no one can have an altruistic view or a social conscience?

Many carers at care facilities are reluctant to report abuses in their work place because of the fear that management might find fault/excuses to sack them. Hard to believe; but true.

‘I have a young family, please remove my name from your report - as potential employers do not like to find out that I had report elder abuse at my previous workplace’. (this is from a visitor to my site)

Why are you reporting the case? Are you a blood relative?

These questions were thrown at a reporter of a case. Again, do we need to have an ulterior motive, other than the desire to help someone whom you believe to have been abused? Just wondering why only 1 in 5 cases of elder abuse are reported? This is one of the reasons why people are reluctant to get involved.

Family Dynamics or Elder Abuse

Elder abuse by family members, of course, is part of the family dynamics. Do we say the same thing of child abuse; and look the other way?

If someone’s human rights are abused, or had been abused –physically, emotionally, financially… should we report the abuse or give the excuse of ‘family dynamics’ and leave the matter at that.

People who abused their elderly parents/relatives must be stopped. Let us not give a lame excuse and let that sorts of thing happen.

Old age is inevitable, for most of us.

Steps that we take to ensure the safety and dignity of the elderly, may be one day be our savior.

Let us not be complacent or selfish in seeing elder abuse as a non-issue.

Today, we accept all reports of child abuse as serious and warrant investigations and actions. Perpetrators are brought to justice and jailed. Why do we not take elder abuse seriously. And, we do not give the excuse of ‘family dynamics’ to not take action to report a child abuse case.

Elder Abuse and neglect is a serious violation of human rights.

Let us not turn away from the very principles that make us human.

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What Elder Abuse? We Do Not Have Them! (International)

By Andrew Chadwick

Yes, this appear to be the stance many politicians are taking. “Don’t you know there is an global financial crisis?”

It is as though a financial crisis just completely “wiped out” child abuse, elder abuse, and other social abhorrences.

My question is simply- Why the various countries have allowed the crisis to occur in the first place?

I may be naïve, but I believe that governments have allowed the “fat cats” to plunge our economies to the present depth of sorrows. There must be lessons learnt, and it is now up to the various governments to do more than bankroll the guilty parties.

Coming back to funding cuts to various social services, especially those that will affect the welfare of the most vulnerable in our society; children and elderly.

As this blog is about Elder Abuse, I will just comment on this issue. The plight of many elderly who had been abused is real. Their pains and trauma do not disappear according to the health of the economy.

We must not allow ourselves to be de-sensitized to the plight of the frail and needy in good times or bad.

One email from a visitor to this site, brought tears to my eyes. In that email, this man outlined how he was systematically conned out of his retirement fund, by none other than his own son. The last line of his email states:

“ I am nearing 78 years, now without any retirement funds……..I have all but lost hope.”

Let us continue to be human. Let us NOT de-humanized the frail and the needy, by forgetting them and deprive them of help and services; even in times of economic downturn.

We now read, on a daily basis, about budget cuts to a range of services. This is happening all over the world.

My Plea:

Let us speak up for the frail and vulnerable in our society. We may be the ones who would need those vital social services in the near future.

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Events and Activities (Global)

WEAAD Around the World - Global Events 2009

Events happening on and around 15 June in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

My World... Your World... Our World... Free of Elder Abuse

There are numerous events/activities around the globe to raise awareness of elder abuse. Hopefully, more will be informed of the growing global issue.

Elder abuse a human rights violation issue that must be addressed urgently.

Please go to SOURCE to check out event/activities in your country or region.

SOURCE: International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

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Aged Care and Elder Abuse (International)

By Andrew

The ABC Four Corners program (Australia) ‘Aged Care: At the End of the Line’ highlighted problems that many knew existed long before the broadcast.

The care of the frail and vulnerable in nursing homes, demands urgent attention.

There are other issues that should be highlighted in discussing Elder Care and Elder Abuse.

·         The carer/resident ratio.  Many carers are underpaid and over-worked. How can we expect them to do their best? There were suggestions of a rule in some nursing homes, that a number of tasks must be completed within a set period of time - are those demands on carers fair and appropriate? 

There are many dedicated personal carers or registered nurses in the Aged Care industry who must be recognized. Unfortunately, the ‘horrible scenarios’ in poorly-managed nursing homes grabbed the headlines. Let us look at the big picture, when it comes to fixing the Aged Care System.

·         Family Carers.  They are the ones who made personal sacrifices to look after a loved mum, dad etc. These carers should be given the support – e.g. services that enable these carers to have a break from their charges.

 ·         Awareness program on Elder Abuse and Neglect, not only in nursing homes, but also in the wider community must be in place.

Elder abuse and neglect are violations of human rights. The community must be informed that if they chose to violate the rights of the aged, they will be punished, in some ways. Even a name and shame list of abusers may be warranted.

 Who should see to the stopping and prevention of elder abuse?

Everyone who can do something - Even discussing the matter with neighbors or others in the local community is a help.

Many governments will only give lip service on awareness campaigns of elder abuse.

Once a year, they put out a statement of support in the media e.g. on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on June 15. That is not good enough.

Elder Abuse Awareness Campaigns would go a long way in saving the government money in the long run. 

It is very discouraging to see that many reports of government funded inquiries ended up in parliament or Congress store rooms; gathering dust. 

Let us hold our own government to account. It is not good enough to call for a Royal Commission or Senate Inquiry; then NOT take up the recommendations that came out of the subsequent reports.

Complaints Investigation Scheme -  If it is flawed, fix it! 

Aged Care Commissioner.  If 50% of the cases reported to the commissioner were proven, why did the other authority discount her findings?

Thanks to the Four Corners program, the public will be looking out for developments regarding the issues highlighted.

Aged Care and Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect:

We have a lot more to do.

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Elder Abuse and Related Issues (International)

 Visitors to this site must a times wondered why I have posted articles re aged care, nursing homes non-compliance of regulations and others affecting the welfare of the elderly.

I believe that we cannot discuss elder abuse awareness and prevention without addressing other issues regarding the welfare of the elderly.

Take for example, a nursing home that was sanctioned by the government for non-compliance of certain regulations put in place to monitor nursing homes. If, for instance, it was found that that particular nursing home was found to have employed carers that had not gone through police checks; this would sure endanger the residents.

Poor carer/resident ratio would undoubtedly create situations where overworked carers may neglect or even abuse the residents.

I am also committed to empowering seniors with information that would help them understand their rights. Yes, elder abuse is a human rights violation.

Seniors should be aware that they can and should report elder abuse. It is their right to be treated with respect and dignity.  No one have the right to abuse them; not even their own adult children, or other relatives.

Those who have been, or are currently experiencing abuses of any kind, should not feel ashamed to talk to someone about it.

There are a resources on this site (in the right column) where they can make use of. Resources are organized by countries or region.

Please make use of these resources, and let me know if there are broken links, or incorrect information.

Andrew 

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Reporting Elder Abuse - A Cautionary Note

By Andrew C

The case of a nurse (UK) who was de-registered because she secretly filmed neglect and elder abuse in a nursing home for the BBC Panoramic program; brought back memories of the stories received.

Unfair Treatment of Reporters of Elder Abuse

 

It is most disturbing that reporters of elder abuse cases to authorities in various countries, often resulted in the reporters themselves been investigated! Motives are questioned.

Why? May be it is easier for authorities to suspect the motive of the reporter than to investigate the reported case.

I was given details of a few cases, where the reporters of elder abuse have been suspected of ‘unsavory motive’ and investigated. One was dismissed from his job for ‘other reasons’.

My own experience with reporting the Frank Punito Case; brought accusations of ‘hidden agenda, lies and deceit’. Instead of looking carefully into the case, they ‘shot the messenger’.  May be it was easier to believe that the reporter had ulterior motives than to accept that the abusers did what they did in that case.

It is NOT encouraging for any potential ‘whistle-blowers’ or reporters of Elder Abuse; when they come to know how reporters of elder abuse are treated.

Reporters need support NOT investigation into our motives, or be punished.

If the government or other organizations were genuine about their various programs to prevent and to stop elder abuse; they should ensure that reporters are not punished.

How else can one get evidence of abuse or neglect; if not secretly gathering evidence? Give the abusers a yellow card as a warning?

Perhaps, the message that the Nursing Council in UK in the Ms Haywood’s case is:  ‘Look the other way, if you discover elder abuse or neglect’ Or,

‘Be prepared for investigations or deregistration’.

Preventing and stopping elder abuse – REPORTERS BEWARE.

A reporter of elder abuse should:

•  Be prepared for false accusations of your ‘hidden agenda’;
  
• Be convinced that what you are going to do, is to highlight an injustice/violation of human rights and that hopefully, what happened to the ‘victim(s) will not be repeated. Or, that you can help stop the abuse of the friend, neighbor or family member.
  
• Gather evidence with care. 
• Ensure that you have the permission of the ‘victim’.
• Hard evidence – e.g. photographs, videos and documents will go a long way in supporting your case.
  
•  Ensure you have some sort of support from family, friends or elder rights advocates. Do not try without support, the process of reporting elder abuse will wear you out emotionally, or even financially.

(Please note that the above list is not exhaustive.  They came from my own experience - use them at your own discretion)

GoGood Luck!

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Abandoning Elderly Parents - Elder Abuse or Just Family Dynamics

By Andrew C

This is a contentious issue.

Many have to make the difficult choice of looking after their elderly parents at home, or place them in a nursing home. For many middle-aged children, it is a stressful time. Most will try their best to look after their own families and their parents.   They are the majority.

However, there are some who would take advantage of their parents frailty and abandon or abuse them. 

What often happens with some is that the adult children may have been given an enduring power of attorney for their parents. Thus, they can just pay the nursing home bills from their parent’s assets.

No question asked, until perhaps personnel at the care homes discovered that there are no visits from the children; not even on public holidays.

In a worst case scenario, the children may even help themselves to the parent’s assets. They may convince themselves that they should be paid for their efforts in paying the bills and looking after that parent’s finances. Or, they have a supreme sense of entitlement. “Why not, I/we will inherit those assets anyway?”

Can we consider these cases as elder abuse.

Legally, if the children continue to pay the bills but have no other contact with their parent(s) no law has been broken. But, surely there is a moral obligation to visit the parent or parents. It is very difficult to judge such cases, unless the neglect led to more serious results. Then again, who is prepared to report that?

What about a case where neglect of a parent resulted in isolation. No contact, and leaving the parent to live in unacceptable living quarters, over 8 years? There is money to improve the living standard of the man. (see the  Frank Punito Case). That man had worked hard to see to the financial security of himself and his wife in retirement. All he needed was his adult children (who have power of attorney for their mother) to work towards a equitable property settlement.

What is the problem then?

Well, as the wife suffered from a serious mental illness, one of the children had been given the power of attorney to act for the mother. The adult children had the power to act for their mother in the property settlement. And, as the son and daughter live in adjacent property, they act jointly in all matters relating to their parents.
More amazing in that case, is that the two adult children worked in unison regarding their parents.  So, why wouldn’t they act to ensure that their parents live in comfort? Refusing all personal approaches from their father to work towards a property settlement. Inaction for a period of over 8 years is just UNACCEPTABLE in any language!

Can these two be excused for their inaction for a period of over 8 years?
Is this just a case of family dynamics?

Those two must have told their friends and relatives that they “miss their dad dearly”. The one who broke the story of this case received a sickening email; claiming “lies and deceits” and that those adult children “miss their father dearly”. The "whistle-blower" offered to make available, the large box of documentary evidence for the perusal of the anonymous email sender. That offer was never taken up.

How can those two adult children claimed "they miss their father"? According to the father (the victim), they visited him at his “hell hole” (the victim’s description of his living quarters) less than 5 times in 8 years. Yet, they used to visit their mother, at the front of their parents home, at least once or twice a week! So why did they NOT visit their father in the smaller part of the house? They missed him? Who are they kidding?

Should we dismiss this, and similar cases, as “family dynamics”?

Cases that leave an elderly parent isolated, in anguish, demoralized, lost dignity and may be denied access to his/her assets is elder abuse and neglect.
I just cannot agree with any justification of such actions as “family dynamics”.

Not when the elderly parent suffered undue emotional stress, psychological torment, lost of dignity, denied his/her own assets and SHAME.

Do we consider child abuse cases as "family dynamics" and just look the other way?  Definitely NOT.

We should feel just as outraged about elder abuse. 

According to the Toronto Declaration:

“ Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older
person”. It can be of various forms: physical, psychological/emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect.

Do not accept abuse of any kind; especially from your own adult children, spouse or other members of the family.

It is a basic human right to live out our later years in peace and safety. 

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Elder Abuse and Neglect by Family Members (International)

By Andrew Chadwick

31 March, 2009

Various studies from around the globe, have found that the majority of elder abuse cases are committed by family members.

Physical abuses are easier to detect than psychological or emotional abuses. These sort of abuses occur together with other types of elder abuse; such as finanicial abuse, sexual abuse and abandonment.

Psychological abuse includes verbal assaults (yelling, insults, infantilization) and threats, which induce fear but do not involve the use of a weapon. Psychological neglect includes isolation, lack of attention, and deprivation of companionship or social contact.

Violation of rights includes acts such as forcing elderly persons to move into a nursing home against their will, prohibiting marriage, or preventing free use of their own money. The majority of victims suffer from more than one type of abuse or neglect.

How can we prevent elder abuse in the privacy of victim’s home?

The difficulty of obtaining evidence and even to get the victim’s consent to investigate the case is a real barrier.

Why is elder abuse underreported?

Often, victims of elder abuse have:

•        feelings of shame,
  
•        fear of retaliation,
  
•        fear that they will ‘lose’ family members,
  
•        fear of institutionalization,
  
•        failed to identify the situation as abusive,
  
•        the perception that the abuse is deserved.
  

Publicity of the unacceptability of elder abuse, I believe will go a long way to preventing elder abuse.

Elder Abuse is a human rights issue.  The government of a country should fund publicity campaigns to highlight the issue.

The populace need to be reminded that elder abuse of any shape or form is NOT acceptable.

Perhaps we should follow the lead of the USA, where criminal prosecution has an additional charge of elder abuse for any crime committed on an older person.

What happens to victims of elder abuse by family members have been removed from the abusive situation?

Can these victims continue to have a ‘normal’ relationship with the family member who abused him/her? Not likely.

Take the case of Frank Punito. The abuses have stopped, but the victim could no longer bring himself to have any sort of contact with his adult children.

The victim actually said that ‘they have robbed me of a family, and their own children a grandparent’.

At 79, and with a number of health issues, he is struggling to maintain a ‘normal’ existence.

Are there services available for victims of elder abuse, after they have been removed from abusive situations?

The traumatic experience, loss of dignity, shame and guilt suffered by victims of elder abuse surely affected their mental and general health. Who can they turn to?

Elder abuse prevention and intervention is a complex problem requiring mult-disciplinarial and multi-sectorial approaches.

It is very disappointing to note that politicians are very good at ‘passing the buck’.  Part of the political game is to call for an inquiry, whenever a social problem is highlighted by the public.

Even after the reports of inquiry have been published, little is achieved as those reports gather dusts in Congress or Parliament.

It is therefore, important for elder rights advocates to continue to remind the government of the day that recommendations made in those reports be implemented.

The local community must also bear some responsibilities. If someone you know is being abused by their adult child(ren), spouse or other members of the family; are you prepared to do something?

Not many would want to get involved in what they perceive as ‘family matters’.

Sure, anything that occurs in a family is classified as family dynamics, but once evidence suggest abuse, be it child abuse or elder abuse, it should be taken out of the family privacy context.

Human rights should not and do not have boundary where the rights are waived.

Reporting elder abuse is not an easy task, especially if it is perpetrated by a family member. That calls for another posting.

We have a lot more to do. 

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Casting a Wider Beam: Spotlight on Elder Abuse (International)

Spotlight on Elder Abuse: Casting a Wider Beam

By Andrew Chadwick

It has been just over 2 years since I started this blog.  

The case that prompted this blog – the Frank Punito Case; was the catalyst for this blog. In an attempt to get help for the victim, I learnt that the case has a name; Elder Abuse.What added to the shock was the discovery  that elder abuse is a global phenomenon. And, that there are important issues that must be looked at in any attempt to prevent elder abuse.

There must be Social services such as:

·        assistance for carers who may be experiencing emotional or physical problems in caring for a spouse, parent, aunty etc. A respite period given to these carers can make a great difference to preventing abuses.

·        Proper background checks of employees in nursing homes;

·        Better Aged Care;

·        Social services to properly investigate reported abuses; and speedy actions that can be put in place to remove the victim(s) from an abusive situation.

·        Better awareness campaigns to publicise the fact that elder abuse is NOT acceptable in any shape or form.

·        There must be elder laws to better protect the vulnerable elderly. Legal instruments, such as Power of Attorney  can often be used to abuse the donor. Attorneys must do a better job in advising their clients, regarding the giving of power of attorney.

·        Guardianship abuses – there are so many cases reported in the USA in the past decade; and yet, the changes that elder advocates demanded, have not materialized.

·        Ageism must not be tolerated.

 It is a fact, according to numerous reports from several countries, Elder Abuse is under-reported.  What we see in the media is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

As I get to know about the “side issues” of elder abuse, I started posting on those issues.

It is a huge task and I often rely on articles in the media or from items sent to me.

 I thank all, who have written about elder abuse and its side issues; and who have been generous in allowing me to post part of their articles.

 Hopefully, this blog will continue to promote awareness; and to direct people to the proper authorities for assistance.

 (Various links in the side-bar of this blog provide further resources for those who wish to do their own research.)

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Elder Abuse and Neglect: Abandoningly Elderly Parents

Abandoning Elderly Parents: An analysis
By Andrew Chadwick
December 08, 2008

It is extremely sad when society has to enact laws to punish people who abandoned their elderly parents. Even countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, where filial piety or respect for older people was once taken for granted, are jolted by increasing number of elder abuse cases and abandonment of elderly parents at nursing homes or, on the street.

What is filial piety?
In somewhat general terms, filial piety means to take care of one's parents; not be rebellious ; show love, respect and support; display courtesy; ensure male heirs, uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one's parents; conceal their mistakes (though some schools advocate pointing out and correcting their mistakes); display sorrow for their sickness and death; and carry out sacrifices after their death.

Reasons for this “phenomenon” in Chinese families:

Younger generation of Chinese are less adherent to traditional principles of filial piety. (A Review on Elder Abuse in Chinese families- sagepub )

Adult children are caught in caring dilemma. The stress of caring for their own family and the caring of elderly parents.Parents are often in a different state, or country.

Many do not feel that they are responsible for the care of their elderly parents. Poor family relationships are often quoted as a reason.

A breakdown in family relationships, should not be used as an excuse for elder abuse. There can never be a justifiable excuse for elder abuse.

Abandoning Elderly Parents

This issue is extremely controversial; when adult children quote breakdown of relationships as a reason for their abandoning their parent(s).

The effect of abandonment of elderly parents may not be that obvious when there are social services that will take care of the ‘abandoned parents’. However, in countries where there are little social services to assist these elderly, then it becomes a crucial issue for all – government and the general public.

How do we treat people who abandoned their parent(s) at a bus-stop or other public places?

In places, like China, India, Singapore and other countries that has a strong tradition of respect and care for the elderly, the increasing number of elderly parents abandoned on the street or nursing home, is a real and frightening development.

China is looking into revitalizing the Confucian teachings of ‘filial piety’ in their education system. Perhaps this will work. We must not forget that in the ‘70s the ‘one child policy’ has resulted in that ‘one child’ being spoilt and often, self-centered.In recent years, many have migrated to other countries. This is not only in China. So how can we expect these adult children to care for their elderly parents?

Who should be responsible for the care of the elderly?

In countries where there are only minimal social services, the care of the elderly are expected of the children. For example, in Singapore there is (since 1995) a Parents Maintenance Act (Please check sidebar for link to more info), that the elderly (over 65) can apply, through the court/tribunal, for maintenance from their children if they are not able to maintain themselves.

The alternative, of course, is for a government to tax its citizens more, so as to be to provide those essential services for looking after the elderly.

What about first world countries like the USA and UK?
Should we enact to punish the adult children who abused or neglect their parents?
Should children who abused their elderly parents be "let off" when they cite breakdown in family relationship as an excuse? This issue is topic for another post.

How should these countries deal with the neglect and abandonment of elderly?

If the government has to look after these ‘abandoned’ elderly, there will be less money left for other social services or infrastructure maintenance and developments.Increasing the tax levy is often not a good political move for many governments.

Ensuring that ‘Respect and Care’ is incorporated in education system is perhaps a better move.

Drugs and Technology can be blamed for watering down the traditional family values.

How many family have a proper dinner at the end of the day? By that I mean really sit around the table. Many families just have their own plate of food and sit in front of the TV! No proper discussions or eye-contact with each other.

Entertainment is a greater priority than family interactions.Drug addicts live in a different world, especially when they are high on substance. The rest of their waking hours are spent on finding money for the next hit. Obviously, elderly parents are only seen as the ‘cash cows’. Yes, they are as a source of money for these drug addictions. Therefore, what hope have we got in relying on these people to look after their aging parents?We can see from this simple analysis, that it is a massive problem. Tackling the culture of the ‘me-first’ people and prevention of the abandonment of the elderly is one BIG, BIG problem - One that cannot be solved easily.

A multi-disciplinarian and multi-agencies approach is required; Easier said than done, of course. But, if we do not start looking for solutions now, we will reach the crisis point very soon.

FINDING SOLUTIONS

This is a challenge for all governments, and professionals with interest in this area.
The findings from studies done many years ago, are still relevant today. However, whilst funding of more researches is of course, welcomed, we must make sure that the follow-on actions flow through. We, ordinary citizens, must ensure that we keep highlighting the issue of elder rights, elder protection etc.

Politicians are very good at a stock answer - "We are awaiting the completion of a report or inquiry into problem X."

How many reports of researches/studies/inquiries are left to gather dust?

Researches are pointless without actions on the recommendations.
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