Articulating the Experiences of Older People - Essay Example

The Inadequacy of Sociological Perspectives in Assessing and Articulating the Situation and Experiences of Older people from Caribbean and Asian communities in UK. Submitted to ………… ……. ………….. 6th May, 2007 By …………… …………… : Introduction The cultural diversity and different ethnicities that are part and parcel of British life today is the product of a long colonial history. Aging population of UK is a complement to the healthcare system of the country, however every thing is not perfect in the system. The concept of welfare state, which is cardinal to UK, has given opportunity to enjoy the benefits of aging to larger sections of the British Society in a dignified manner. However, any system can be improved and constant attempt to evaluate the system is a safe guard against lowering of quality and improvement of standards. This study specifically targeted the aging population of the Britons from the Caribbean and Asia. They are not only minorities but they belonged to colored race, and there countries of origin belonged to the former British rule. Methodology 25 Caribbean Britons and 30 Asian Britons were interviewed as well a limited number of health workers who were mostly white Britons. Since the subject matter was old age and many were bed ridden and would not like to be called to another venue, in-depth interviews were conducted to find out their experience of old age in Britain and how the health care system was helpful for them. The phenomenon of elder abuse at home and in health care institutions were specially examined. What are presented at the here are the findings of that report. The appropriate research strategy is needed to arrive at conclusions that throw light on any problem so that a road map can be drawn to carry on an action plan that can mitigate and eventually eradicate social evils connected with the care of elders to ensure well-being in a society. In choosing the appropriate research strategy for an investigation, it is necessary to bear in mind that social research methods are constantly evolving in tandem with development in other fields. (Bryan.2004) In-depth Interviews are ideal for a single person or two and for investigating sensitive personal problems related old age and hence in-depth interviews were undertaken with the Asians, Caribbeans and the white health care workers. Research Report The first problem that was encountered in this project was related to use of language .At the outset the researcher felt the need to have adequate language tools to express the experience of the aging community. The situation and experience of older people from Black and minority ethnic groups can be articulated only through proper tools of language. It is therefore necessary at the outset to have proper linguistic definitions of certain phenomenon they experience. Terms like Blacks, Asian Britons, Caribbean Britons, minorities and Diaspora etc are sufficiently defined and possibility of ambiguity is somewhat ruled out. However, there are certain issues experienced by the minority Britons now that needs to be defined in unambiguous terms. The much used and abused term “old age abuse” is centered on this area of the concerns of the minorities on their old age. What is elder neglect or abuse? Many answer this question with illustrations. The assumption is that the meaning of elder neglect and abuse are understood. O’Malley et al. define elder abuse as “ the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or debilitating mental anguish, unreasonable confinement or deprivation by a caretaker of services which are necessary to the maintenance of mental and physical health.”(1983) There are many types of abuses experienced by the aged minorities (Asian Britons and Caribbean Britons). They are physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychotically abuse, neglect, abandonment, material exploitation, self-neglect etc. It has been found that roughly two-thirds of all elder abusers are family members. In this Caribbean Britons have more cases of elderly abuse rather than Asians. This picture seems to be contrary to the image of traditional Caribbean and Asian family values. Though these cases are rarely prosecuted due to the unwillingness of the elderly to proceed against there own relations, recently medical fraud alert watch dogs do report cases of elderly abuse. The elderly abuse seems to have been somewhat wide spread in UK institutions according earlier studies in the field (Bennett et al). The present study only showed that elder abuse is still there in Britain. In the present study among the Caribbeans and Asians there have been cases of elderly abuse in nursing homes but in most cases the experience of abuse is somewhat subjective. The Asian and Caribbean old who came recently to the country find the level of UK nursing care somewhat deficient in feeling. However, the white health care workers find their many Asian and Caribbean patients reactions somewhat finicky. Both these reactions springs from lack of concept about cultural diversity in nursing communication. Communication is a complex means of interaction between nurses and people and its nature varies according to the different groups they serve (Ellis1995). However, based this study alone it is not proper to conclude that much of experience is subjective either to the Caribeans, Asians and Britons. It is imperative that regulators are alert to the fact that abuse does not arise from a single cause. To focus on abuse as perceptional difference is dangerous. Abuse might exist on a wide front and a small sampling like the present will not be sufficient. Glendenning (1997) has reviewed the wider evidence on the causation of abuse. It was found that existing studies in sociology have not been able to determine the causes of elder neglect and abuse. Studies show the prevalence of mistreatment, but do not provide clear reasons for the cause of such mistreatment or the character of the abuser and the abused. However increasing studies indicate stress in the abused and the abuser. But it has not been clearly established whether stress is the antecedent or the consequence of mistreatment. Many researchers identified disability, impairment or dependence as ingredients of elder mistreatment. The present study only corroborated these findings. Contrary to the notion that women are neglected in old age in Caribbean and Asian communities and men are well cared for it was found that many men did not feel that they are cared for, while women seem to be well off. This is largely due to the activities of the feminist elements in these communities that have made awareness about the plight of women, while men do not have any such support system. This finding was attested by earlier studies in the field. Sociologists have observed Stereotypes of Older Men The lack of apathy felt by elderly men have been studied (Kosberg & Mangum, 2002) The study helped to explode the myth that Older men are powerful, affluent, and dominant in the home and in society among the Caribbean and Asian communities. But the fact is some are but not the majority of them. The research established that the elderly in minority communities do experience difficulties in old age. However, the main source of abuse is the relatives themselves. British medical system needs more awareness about the cultural diversity in their service. The work of feminist organizations had a good effect in improving the conditions of women and similar work oriented towards men also can be salutary in improving the lot of older men. There is greater role for social watchdogs in old age care, as there are cases of abuse of the old in institutions. ========= Works cited Bennett G., Kingston, P. and Penhale, B. (1997) The Dimensions of Elder Abuse, Basingstoke: Macmillan Bryan. 2004,Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press, London. Ellis, R. B., Gates, R. J. and Kenworthy, N. (1995) Interpersonal Communication in Nursing. London: Churchill Livingstone.comm. Glendenning (eds) and Decalmer.(1997) ‘The mistreatment and neglect of elderly people in residential institutions: Research outcomes’ The Mistreatment of Elderly People, second edition, London: Sage. Kosberg, J. I. & Mangum, W. P. (2002). The invisibility of older men in gerontology. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 22(4), 27-41. T. OMalley et al., "Identifying and Preventing Family-Mediated Abuse and Neglect of Elderly Persons," Annals of Internal Medicine 98, no. 6 ( 1983), pp. 998-1004. Read More