Family Violence Across the Lifespan - Case Study Example

 Family Violence Across the Lifespan Elderly abuse is a form of family violence. It refers to violence that comes from members that one shares a household with. These include parents, brothers, sisters and spouses among others. Family violence is perpetrated by people who one has relationships with and this is supposed to be protective, nurturing and supportive in nature. In contrast, these relationships bring physical, emotional or psychological harm to the elderly. The society expects the family unit to care and protect the elderly (Wallace, 2010). However, this is not always the case. Instead of people addressing the problem, they are keeping it in the shadows. Mamie is an elderly woman who is 87 years old. In addition, she is suffering from arthritis and almost losing her memory. Mamie needs a lot of care since she is not able to carry out the basic chores. Despite having someone who has professional knowledge on how to take care of elderly and sickly people, she lives with her 59 year old divorced son. Men in nature cannot be compared to women when it comes to giving care. Women have an upper hand because of their soft and tender character (Havelin, 2000). Mamie’s son is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. This means that he also needs care. Adding him another role of caring for his mother is not reasonable. In addition, the son is not working since he was honourably discharged from duty due to his health status. This means that he does not have enough money to take care of his elderly and sickly mother. Mamie’s daughter Moira wants her mother taken to a nursing home where she can get professional care. However, Meldrick reputes this idea insisting that he can take care of her at home. This is not true because Moira claims that Meldrick leaves Mamie in the car and goes drinking in the bars and playing cards in the church. In addition, she claims that her mother got bruises on her body and this is clear evidence that proper care is not being given to her. It is known that Mamie is being abused both physically and emotionally. The fact that Meldrick leaves her in the car for hours as he drinks or plays cards is abusive. The old woman should be at home comfortably resting in a well made bed and in a warm house, but not in the cold at the car park. This is both physical abuse and emotional neglect. Studies have shown that elderly people who are neglected and abused are at a higher risk of early death compared to those who get proper care (Wallace, 2010). There are many complications that arise as a result of poor care to the elderly. There may be a huge medical bill to settle as a result of opportunistic diseases that arise. Mamie may, for example, catch a cold when she is left in the care for hours during winter. This translates to large hospital bill and at times death. It is worth noting that Meldrick does not have a job. Therefore, it is difficult to settle hospital bill with the limited resources that are available. These comprises Mamie’s Medicare, social security assistance and Moira financial support. Meldrick behaviour could be categorised as intentional abuse. This is a deliberate inflict of physical as well as emotional harm to the elderly. It also encompasses negligence and abandonment as well as violation of rights (Hampton, 2009). Meldrick does not have a wife since he is a widower. He is also suffering from schizophrenia. It is ironical for him to insist that he is capable of taking care of his elderly mother when he needs care himself. As much as we do not undermine the ability of men to give care, it is essential to note that Mamie’s situation needs a professional care. According to psychological theory of elderly put forward by Wallace, abuse of a senior citizen is an embarrassing as well as a difficult thing to go through. This is because it drains out the little remaining energy in a person leaving him/her vulnerable and very sensitive. As much as Mamie is losing her memory, she is still a human. The fact that she is left in the car for long hours in winter harms her emotions. It is unfair that Meldrick acts so insensitive to his own mother despite the fact that she is not in a position to speak out and condemn him for his actions (Mildred, 1994). According to Wallace, senior citizens who undergo physical violence have higher risk of getting hospitalized compared to other citizens. It is clear that Mamie is physically abused. This is shown by the bruises on her body. Though it is not clear whether it is intentional or not, Meldick should have taken precautions to ensure that her aging mother is free from any form of physical harm. However, this is not the case. According to Moira, Meldrick claims that her mother got bruised as he tried to help her to get out from the wheel chair to the bed or car. This is a very unfortunate excuse. It is upon Meldrick to ensure that her aging mother is safe at all costs (Havelin, 2000). Meldrick is acting unreasonably when he turns down the idea of taking her aging mother to a nursing home. He lives alone since he is divorced. It is fair to admit that taking care of an elderly is not an easy task. In addition, it cannot be done by anyone unless professional advice is given to those concerned. The task of caring for Mamie may be a burden and could cause stress to Meldrick. However, Meldrick may not be aware of this because he feels that he has a duty to take care of his mother. This is common with many people and may end up causing harm to both the caregiver and the elderly person. Wallace admits that abusive behaviour could be caused by stress that is associated with care giving (Hampton, 2009). Mamie should be taken to a nursing home where proper care will be given to her by professionals. This will give Meldrick enough time to take care of himself because he is suffering from schizophrenia. In addition, he can be visiting her mother and spending quality time with her at the nursing home. This is a good idea because Moira is supporting it. Meldrick needs to consider it so as to build consensus. This will be for the benefit for all of them. Wallace put forward another theory by the name explanatory theory of elderly abuse. This theory is also known as psychopathology theory. It encompasses abuse that is caused by family members who are mentally ill. Their abusive character is free from their natural personality. Their acts of abusiveness come as a result of mental disorder. In our case, Meldrick is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia which is a mental disorder (Wallace, 2010). This is a psychiatric disorder that needs to be taken seriously. Mamie should not be put under the care of Meldrick for this medical reason. Wallace also advises that people should assess the level of cognitive capacity of the senior citizens before deciding on the care to give. Mamie has lost memory and is nearly incapacitated. This means that she needs help on basic chores such as bathing, eating and visiting the toilet among others (Wallace, 2010). Meldrick could not be the right person to give this care since he is not professionally qualified. In addition, the fact that he lives alone could be overwhelming for him. Therefore, Mamie is being abused and should be taken to a nursing home so as to get the right care in accordance with her situation (Ola, 2010). It is also important to note that the resources available to Meldrick for taking care of Mamie are inadequate. Since he is not working due to discharge of duty on medical grounds, he depends on Mamie’s Medicare and social security assistance. Despite Moira’s financial help, the money is not enough to take care of Mamie’s expenses. In addition, Meldrick is a drunkard, the fact that is claimed by his sister when she says that he spends long hours in bars during winter. He may be misappropriating the little money that is meant to take care of her mother (Ola, 2010). In conclusion, Mamie is facing abuse from Meldrick, and this is not appropriate given her age and medical condition. Therefore, she is supposed to be placed in a nursing home where professional care will be offered. Moreover, she will be able to benefit from government and other donors funding to foot her medical bills and cater for other expense. References Barnett, O. W. (2010). Family Violence Across the Lifespan: An Introduction. London: SAGE Publications. Hampton, R. L. (2009). Family violence: prevention and treatment. London: Sage Publications. Havelin, K. (2000). Family Violence: My Parents Hurt Each Other! Minnesota: Capstone Press. Pagelow, M. D., & Pagelow, L. W. (1994). Family Vilolence. NewYork: ABC-CLIO. Wallace, Harvey C. R. (2010). Family Violence: Legal, Medical, and Social Perspectives. New Jersey: Prentice Hall PTR. Read More