Today is World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day. And i want you, whoever read this writings, to
develop your minds, i want you to kindly develop your thoughts about the elder
abuse. Because 1 in 6 elder adults have been abused in the past year.
What is elder abuse, anyway? What do
you think? I think elder abuse should never be exist in our life. Why? Because
without them, without the elderly, we would never be exist in this world.
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), elder abuse is an intentional act, or
failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an
expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.
(An older adult is defined as someone age 60 or older).
Forms of elder
abuse are:
·
Physical
Abuse: the intentional use of physical force that results in acute or
chronic illness, bodily injury, physical pain, functional impairment, distress,
or death. Physical abuse may include, but is not limited to, violent acts such
as striking (with or without an object or weapon), hitting, beating,
scratching, biting, choking, suffocation, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping,
kicking, stomping, pinching, and burning.
·
Sexual Abuse or
Abusive Sexual Contact: forced or unwanted sexual interaction (touching
and non-touching acts) of any kind with an older adult. This may include but is
not limited to forced or unwanted completed or attempted contact between the
penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus involving penetration, however
slight. It might also include forced or unwanted contact between the mouth and
the penis, vulva, or anus; forced or unwanted penetration of the anal or
genital opening of another person by a hand, finger, or other object; forced or
unwanted intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the
genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks. These acts also
qualify as sexual abuse if they are committed against an incapacitated person
who is not competent to give informed approval.
·
Emotional or
Psychological Abuse: verbal or nonverbal behavior that results in the
infliction of anguish, mental pain, fear, or distress. Examples of tactics that
may exemplify emotional or psychological abuse of an older adult include behaviors
intended to humiliate (e.g., calling names or insults), threaten (e.g.,
expressing an intent to initiate nursing home placement), isolate (e.g.,
seclusion from family or friends), or control (e.g., prohibiting or
limiting access to transportation, telephone, money or other resources).
·
Neglect: failure
by a caregiver or other responsible person to protect an elder from harm, or
the failure to meet needs for essential medical care, nutrition, hydration,
hygiene, clothing, basic activities of daily living or shelter, which results
in a serious risk of compromised health and safety. Examples include not
providing adequate nutrition, hygiene, clothing, shelter, or access to
necessary health care; or failure to prevent exposure to unsafe activities and
environments.
·
Financial Abuse or
Exploitation: the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older
individual’s resources by a caregiver or other person in a trusting
relationship, for the benefit of someone other than the older individual. This
includes, but is not limited to, depriving an older person of rightful access
to, information about, or use of, personal benefits, resources, belongings, or
assets. Examples include forgery, misuse or theft of money or possessions; use
of coercion or deception to surrender finances or property; or improper use of
guardianship or power of attorney.
Why is it important
to know more about a brief definition of elder abuse?
A consistent definition is needed to
monitor the incidence of elder abuse and examine trends over time. Consistency
helps to determine the magnitude of elder abuse and enables comparisons of the
problem across locations. This ultimately informs prevention and intervention
efforts.
Talking about prevention, we can
start it right here right know by knowing the most common sign of elder
abuse.
Here are some of the most common
signs of elder abuse. These signs don't automatically show that abuse is
occurring, but are clues that you should look further into your loved one's
well-being:
- Bruises,
cuts, abrasions, burns and other physical signs of trauma
- Sudden
social withdrawal, confusion or depression
- Witnessing
a family member or caregiver verbally belittling or yelling at the senior
- Senior's
finances suddenly change for the worse
- Bedsores,
poor hygiene and weight loss
There are often other explanations
for these indications, but any changes in your loved one's personality,
behavior, or physical condition should be investigated thoroughly.
Most of the elder adults being
abused while they're fulfilling their rights. Talking about the elderly rights,
they have 20 rights in their life. As declared by United Nations Principles for
Older Persons, In terms of independence, the elderly persons have the right:
1.
To access to
adequate food, water, shelter, clothing, and health care through the provision
of income, family and community support and help.
2.
To work and
pursue other income generating opportunities with no barriers based on age.
3.
To retire and
participate in determining when and at what pace withdrawal from the labour
force takes place.
4.
To access
education and training programs to enhance literacy, facilitate employment, and
permit informed planning and decision making.
5.
To live in
environments that are safe and adaptable to personal preferences and changing
capacities.
6.
To reside at
home as long as possible.
In terms
of participation, the elderly persons have the right:
7.
To remain
integrated and participate actively in society, including the process of
development and the formulation and implementation of policies which directly
affect their well-being.
8.
To share their
knowledge, skills, values and life experiences with younger generations.
9.
To seek and develop
opportunities for service to the community and to serve as volunteers in
positions.
10.
To form movements or associations of the
elderly.
In terms
of care, the elderly persons have the right:
11.
To benefit from family support and care
consistent with the well being of the family.
12.
To access health care to help them maintain or
regain the optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and to
prevent or delay the onset of illness.
13.
To access social and legal services to enhance
capacity for autonomy and provide protection and care.
14.
To utilise appropriate levels of institutional
care which provide protection, rehabilitation and social and mental stimulation
in a humane and secure environment.
15.
To exercise human rights and fundamental
freedoms when residing in any shelter, care and treatment facility including
full respect for their dignity, beliefs, needs and privacy and for the right to
make decisions about their care and quality of life.
In terms
of self-fulfilment, the elderly persons have the right:
16.
To pursue opportunities for the full
development of their potential.
17.
To access the education, cultural, spiritual
and recreational resources of society.
In terms of dignity, the
elderly persons have the right:
18.
To be treated fairly regardless of age, gender,
racial or ethnic background, disability or other status, and to be valued
independently of their economic contributions.
19.
To live in dignity and security and to be free
of exploitation and physical or mental abuse.
20.
To exercise personal autonomy in health care
decision making, including the right to die with dignity by assenting to or
rejecting treatment designed solely to prolong life.
Those are
their rights to claim. So please kindly help them to fulfil their rights, and
never abuse the elder while they're claiming those rights.
Now, will you stand
by my side as i stand for the elderly rights and help this world to be better
and more peaceful by stopping the elder abuse?
Ps: image credits
to @physiogram instagram account
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