Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes - Research Paper Example

 A Discussion of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes INTRODUCTION Unfortunately we live in a world where many people are the victims of all sorts of abuses. However, when most people hear the word abuse the first thing that comes to mind is the mistreatment and maltreatment of children by adults and women in unhealthy romantic relationships. However, one of the largest demographics that suffer serious and harsh abuses of all sorts that often remain under-represented is the elderly. Aging is not an easy thing; from the failings of the body to failings of the mind getting older is not always pleasant but an inevitable reality for every single person living on this planet. When the physical and mental states of aging loved-ones deteriorates to a point where they require more supervision that family members cannot or choose not to provide then many elderly are placed in senior facilities or nursing homes. One would think that within these professional healthcare environments that the elderly would have the best possible care. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Senior citizens living in nursing home environments often face terrible treatment, not only terrible neglect, but, also, emotional, mental, and physical abuses. This is a serious phenomenon that requires immediate and continuous consideration and reform. HISTORY The statistics of known instances of elder abuse, including neglectful treatment, is estimated to be 700,000 to 1.2 million seniors each year; with new cases being reported at a rate of more than 400,000 per year. These statistics are unbelievably shocking. These statistics work out to an average of 1,918 to 3,288 per day, which is an astonishing 1 to 5 seniors being mistreated per minute. Granted, and no less shocking, the majority of the abuses of elders are more often than not a family member. Approximately 30-35% of abuse can be attributed to nursing home facilities (Falk, Baigis & Kopac, 2012). Although the problem is seldom prioritized by the media the problem has been known for decades and attempts have been made at the government levels to improve the quality of care that senior citizens receive in nursing homes. In the 1960s a number of initiatives were implemented, like Medicaid, Medical, and the OAA, Older Americans Act, was passed, along with Public Welfare and Amendments and Social Security Acts, all were intended to improve the quality of care and quality of life for aging Americans. In 1974 the Social Security Act was augmented to include greater protections for specific abuses and maltreatment for peoples of all ages. It would not be until 2010 that the Elder Justice Act would be passed, which created greater aid, care, and protections for elderly peoples under the newly formed Patient Protection and Affordability Act (Falk, Baigis & Kopac, 2012). Regardless the abuses have continued to occur against the most venerable, the elderly, but the statistics have not been positively impacted in any tangible way; at least not as yet. DISCUSSION So what constitutes abuse of an elder within any healthcare setting? Well, again, there are many forms of abuse, emotional and mental, but it is, both, neglect and physical abuse that are the most prominent and disturbing. Many may disagree but neglect administered with a friendly smile can be equally abusive as a raised fist under the right circumstances. Some healthcare workers “double diaper” patients so that they will not have to change them as often or simply skip steps in their care. These kinds of behaviors can result in terrible physical injury, like bedsores. However, by and large, it is the direct, violent, cruel physical abuses that are most shocking to most people. To see the ill, the confined, the confused state that many elderly individuals experience while facing direct abuse from abusers who are years younger and much bigger and stronger than their victims is unthinkable to most.. Like the woman pictured above, black eyes are far too common in many facilities. Within in a nursing home environment these abuses manifest in literal punching and slapping to burning and the use of unnecessary and aggressive force and restraint (Falk, Baigis & Kopac, 2012). According to surveys taken over the last decade a startling 95% of residents in nursing homes admitted that they had experienced abuse or had witnessed another being abused, a even more shocking numbers of staff have admitted participating in knowingly abusive behaviors against the elderly patients under their care or did not intercede when they saw the behaviors in other staff members. These people are hired and paid to care for the elderly, not abuse and neglect them. Many experts fear that these numbers are likely to only increase as we move further into the millennium (National Center on Elder Abuse, 2014).Experts explain that we are moving into a time period where there will be more Americans over the age of 65 living in the country than the number of children. As these numbers continue to rise the probability of elder abuse is sadly projected to increase as well (Ruppe, 2013). The level of these sorts of abuses is astonishing. There are a number of incredibly shocking stories detailing the kinds of abuses that are being perpetrated as we speak at nursing homes all around the country. At an Alzheimer’s care facility in Georgia, last year, 21 staff members including the locations owner are charged with a total of 70 different abuse and neglect charges they committed against patients. Some of the specific abuses included restraining patients by strapping them down with bed sheets and leaving patients in undignified conditions, like leaving them unclothed and exposed. These are deliberate and cruel actions plotted, planned, and carried out by the very people you believe are professional, caring, medical personal for your loved ones; according to a 2013 census for every 1 in 3 nursing homes that is absolutely not the case. There were 27 patients currently in residence at the time that law enforcement took control of the facility, 3 of those patients had to be rushed to emergency medical facilities for immediate and necessary attention (Beasley, 2013). ISSUES If these kinds of abuses by professional medical staff in nursing home settings has not been eliminated and are showing statistics with projections that these problems will rise, then why do they so often go unreported and, therefore, unaddressed and the perpetrators unprosecuted? Unfortunately, because many of the elderly in nursing homes are suffering from mental issues, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, which makes both their memory of events and ability to communicate more difficult. In nursing homes settings the patients are literally at the “mercy” of the staff; if the abuse is typical then those that may try to speak out to may meet their accusations with inaction and ignorance (Overton, 2013). Many elderly in nursing home settings are often not visited or called very often, this isolation only makes them more dependent on the abusers who hurt them. However, in many cases it is fear that keeps many of the elderly silent about the way they are being treated; fear of how they will be treated by staff for speaking up and the fear that loved ones will not believe their accusations. When people doubt your credibility in can be difficult to find someone who will believe their accusations. This can make the elderly victims very depressed, frightened, and helpless. These are our grandparents, our parents, and some day it will inevitable be us, as well. This treatment cannot be allowed to be kept “under wraps” and allow the victims to suffer in silence. SOULTIONS Because the incidents are often unreported it can make gauging the true number of victims and implementing changes no easy feat. However, as horrific and common as this phenomena has become and how often it remains improperly addressed or unaddressed entirely there are ways that will decrease the likelihood of abuse and impact positively the future statistics of elder abuse in nursing home facilities. Of course greater law enforcement initiatives and greater penalties could deter some of the behaviors; however, citizens can themselves make certain that their elderly loved ones are being cared for (Beasley, 2013). Have regular contact with these loved-ones call and visit as often possible. Too many elderly are “put out to pasture” and forgotten about when they enter care facilities. This has to change. There are, also, organizations focused on awareness of the issues of elder abuse. Finally, there is one thing that we can all do that will contribute dramatically to reducing the cases of elder abuse going unnoticed, unaddressed, and unprosecuted. Empower the elderly in our lives. Make certain they know that they have family and friends on their side and that they can speak up and they will be supported, making claims of abuse far more serious and not so easily to dismiss. Fortunately, the greatest way to impact this shocking and heinous nursing home abuse epidemic is to be more involved with our elders and make certain that they are always being treated as well as you would treat them and as you would hope to be treated one day. CONCLUSION How can a civilization that claims to be the most ethical and most just continue to allow this sort of crime to perpetuate in modern society is astounding, not when there are means to make effective change. One day we will all start to see wrinkles appear, and our joints swell too often, and we will start to forget things that we never would have forgotten before. These are all signs that we are getting older and that there may come a time when we are no longer capable of caring for ourselves. If efforts are not taken to improve the quality of care then we will likely face the same, if not worse abuses, when we arrive at that place in our lives. The abusers would not have the opportunity to mistreat our elderly loved ones if we all were all more active and regularly involved in their lives. In order to eradicate the possibility of such cruel and abusive treatments of the elderly in nursing home settings it will require individual, familial, and organizational reforms. Together tangible, efficient, productive, and real impact on the instances of elder abuse can be achieved and then it will just be an embarrassing and shameful practice left in the past. REFERENCES Beasley, David. (2013). Nursing home staff face charges in abuse of elderly patients. Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/02/us-usa-crime-abuse-idUSBRE96118620130702 Falk, N. L., Baigis, J., & Kopac, C. (2012). Elder mistreatment and the elder justice act. The online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(3), Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No3-Sept-2012/Articles-Previous-Topics/Elder-Mistreatment-and-Elder-Justice-Act.html Overton, K. (2013, June 13). Elder abuse often unreported,unprosecuted -- this must change. Morning Sentinel. Retrieved from http://www.onlinesentinel.com/opinion/columnists/elder-abuse-often-unreportedunprosecuted-this-must-change_2013-06-12.html Ruppe , D. (2013, July 30). Elderly abused at 1 in 3 nursing homes: Report. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92689 National Center on Elder Abuse. (2014). Statistics/data. 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