Elderly Abuse for Friends - and Families - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theElderly Abuse for Friends, and Families. Answer: Elderly abuse is commonly referred to as the neglect and abuse of the elderly by carers, friends, and families. The old people are very vulnerable individuals in the community just like children. When associating with the elderly, it is crucial that one gives them respect and dignity, both for their life experience and their wisdom (Kosberg Garcia, 2013). They should be allowed to have their dignity, and participate in decision-making processes until that period they become mentally unable. Studies show that most of the reported cases of abuse are perpetrated by the family members and not the carers (Dong, 2015). There are many types of abuses, these include; physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse, neglect and abandonment among others. All these abuses negatively influence the health of the seniors. The suffering brought by these abuses have in some cases shortened the lives of the elderly (Kosberg Garcia, 2013). Among these abuses, the common one is the psychological abuse, and this discussion focuses on this type of abuse. Psychological Abuse This abuse is the act of causing anguish, distress and emotional pain to a senior. The main forms of this abuse include; treating the elderly like children, insulting them, intimidation, as well as verbal assaults. Verbal abuse is the most prevalent form of this abuse. There are cases where the family members or the carers would use insulting words while attending to the elderly (Dong, 2015). The perpetrators often think the elderly cannot comprehend what they are saying or are powerless. The emotional pain can also be caused non-verbally by neglecting the individual (Kosberg Garcia, 2013). The psychological abuse often manifests itself because the seniors feel less empowered to handle other forms of abuse like the physical abuse. References Dong, X. Q. (2015). Elder abuse: systematic review and implications for practice.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,63(6), 1214-1238. Kosberg, J. I., Garcia, J. L. (2013).Elder abuse: International and cross-cultural perspectives. Routledge.