10/19/2011

Elder abuse prevention must be learned by every family who has aging members. Believe it or not, elderly abuse is very common even in the United States. In fact, experts calculate that there are about two million cases of neglect and physical, psychological, and emotional abuse among senior citizens in the U.S. year after year. And the worst thing here is that most seniors suffer from abuse right in their own homes or medical care facility they are in. 

Elderly Abuse Today 

The elderly population is very prone to suffering due to many reasons. One, they are physically frail and so they cannot fight back the way they used to when they are face to face with attackers. Plus, their physical and mental disabilities make it hard for caregivers to deal with them, which often results to neglect and physical and emotional abuse. In fact, it can be noted that cases of elderly abuse directly involve families, relatives, and caregivers that deal with them in an almost daily basis. 

There are several kinds of abuse that can take place among the elderly. The most common is neglect, which comprises 58.5 percent of the total cases of abuse among the elderly. This often refers to the failure of a caregiver or a family to offer care to the elderly either intentionally or unintentionally. 

Another form of elderly abuse is physical, comprising 15.7 percent of all cases of elder abuse. This involves use of force that causes pain, injury, and impairment as well as the improper use of drugs, improper confinement, and the like. Other forms of abuse are emotional, sexual, financial, and even healthcare fraud. 

Preventing Elderly Abuse 

If your parents have reached their golden years, it is time for you to worry about their condition. Take note that the fact that they are getting old already makes them vulnerable to abuse. Hence, as a child, you may want to deal with elder abuse prevention. 

One of the best ways to help prevent elder abuse is to know for yourself what kinds of abuse elderly people face as well as warning signs. Letting your parents know they are at risk to certain forms of abuse can be of help as well. However, experts suggest that the cases of elderly abuse can be prevented if the senior citizen lives an active lifestyle in the community. Social isolation can be one form of abuse and neglect and so helping your aging parents to connect with family and friends again can make them feel accepted once again. Giving them a senior cell phone like the Just5 Easyphone can be of help in opening their communication and social lives. Plus, giving them a call every now and then to monitor their condition can decrease chances of abuse. Also, senior cell phones like Just5 has emergency response systems that can help seniors get help in cases they are being abused by someone. 

It is disheartening to know that the elderly population is becoming the number one victim of abuse nowadays. So if you want the best for your aging parents, you know that elder abuse prevention is, in one way or another, a responsibility you have to carry in your shoulders.