Elder Abuse Essay

Elder abuse is a horrible problem during peoples sunset years, they should let loose and be comfortable, not have to worry about abuse from family members and angel dusts. However, the issue of people abusing the vulnerable elderly is a growing one in the fall in States. What causes it? This essay explains a growing theory that accounts for the causes of elder abuse. According to Quinn and Tomita (1997), there are five main hypotheses for elder abuse (Quinn & Tomita, 1997, pp. 86-87). The first is simple creator some people simply focus on dependency issues (Quinn & Tomita, 1997, pp. 86-87). Others are acting out due to the accentuate of acting as a caregiver this is particularly vernacular within family caregiving settings (Quinn & Tomita, 1997, pp. 86-87). Another guessing states that elder abuse is simply caused because some individuals have grown up in families that solve problems with fury (Quinn & Tomita, 1997, pp. 86-87). Another hypothesis claims that some are relat ed to individual abusers problems, such as substance abuse and depression (Quinn & Tomita, 1997, pp. 86-87). Finally, the last hypothesis states that in some societies, elders have lost their mortalhood due to greed, lookism, and hatred of the disabled. Most other studies support at least one of these hypotheses. For example, Brandl and Raymond found that the most common cause of elder abuse was caregiver melodic phrase, regardless of whether the caregiver was a family member or professional they in any case emphasize the role of the elderly person an abused child may abuse their parent once the parent is frail, for example this connects to Quinn and Tomitas hypotheses of violent families and individual abusers problems (Brandl & Raymond, 2012). Nerenberg, too, claims that caregiver stress is the main cause of elder abuse (Nerenberg, 2002).She emphasizes the perspective of the caregiver, particularly the first-time caregiver, as these individuals are more wish wellly to engage in elder abuse (Nerenberg, 2002). Meanwhile, Hawes focuses on professional caregivers abuse of the elderly in long-term care facilities (Hawes, 2003). Hawes does not offer many causes, but hints at them by discussing the low pay and high-stress spirit of caregiving jobs (Hawes, 2003). Thomason ascribes the causes of elder abuse to a changing society in which people live longer and are ill-prepared for caretaking (Thomason, 2011). He emphasizes the socialcauses of elder abuse, focusing on the need to make everyone aware of the issues related to elder abuse and aging (Thomason, 2011). In contrast, and by focusing on the individual level, Vetere emphasizes caregiver burnout as a major cause of elder abuse (Vetere, 2011). Bronwell addresses the causes of elder abuse only implicitly, but presents data on the low pay and long hours in the caregiving attention and also discusses the aspects of burnout and frustration that can cause family-based elder abuse to occur (Brownwell & Podnicks, 2005). In addition to discussing the elderly abusing themselves by failing to engage in self-care, they also offer data that some risk factors mean one is more likely to become an abuser a low level of education, mental subnormality (by the caregiver), substance abuse by either the elder or the caregiver, a prior history of violence or psychiatric issues, and stress (Gorbien & Eisenstein, 2005, p. 282). Gorbien and Eisenstein (2005) proposed five archetypes for abusers of the elderly, which are the overwhelmed, the impaired (e.g., mentally or physically), the narcissistic, the bullying, and the sadistic (Gorbien & Eisenstein, 2005, p. 284). In keeping with the overall causes mentioned by Quinn and Tomita, these archetypes offer reasons individuals may turn to abuse (Quinn & Tomita, 1997). Thus it can be said that a theory for the causation of elder abuse is that within a context of a society that is poorly equipped to deal with the elderly, and within an individualist, looks-orien ted society that discriminates against the disabled, many people are ashamed or frustrated by their relatives (or clients, in the case of professional caregivers) decline. This feeling of helplessness and disgust, combined with stress and burnout exacerbated due to the poor preparation most family caregivers have, and the long hours and poor pay offered to many professional caregivers creates a context in which abuse is likely.Additional factors, like abuse from the elders themselves (e.g., bitter about losing capacity, holding long grudges against family members, aggression due to cognitive decline such as through Alzheimers) can spark an ignominious incident. Moreover, if an individual has any of the characteristics noted by Gorbien and Eisenstein, they may be more likely to abuse. Working towards a theory of elder abuse, one can hypothesize a flow chart (provided on the next page). First, the background of this abuse occurs against a context of a society fiercely focused on dish antenna and ableism. Second, if an individual ends upcaring for an elder and they are poorly prepared or compensated, this context intensifies. Third, if an individual is impaired in some way, he or she will quickly become burned out and stressed. Fourth, pre-existing interpersonal factors like abuse are exemplified in elder caregiver situations. Fifth, some character types (narcissists who want others to admire them for their supposed selflessness sociopaths) want to care for elders for their own sick needs. Sixth, if a caregiver has a risk factor such as low IQ, low education, substance abuse, or mental health issues, he or she is more likely to be an abuser. Finally, caregivers suffer burnout, and eventually, when caring for an elder individual, they may engage in a violent incident. This theory is outlined in the flowchart below, which moves from left to right. Major causes are represented by larger circles. whole works CitedBrandl, B., & Raymond, J. A. (2012). Elder Abuse and the Elder Justice Movement in America. San Francisco, CA American Society on Aging. Brownwell, P., & Podnicks, E. (2005). Long-Overdue for the Critical Issue of Elder Abuse and snub A Global Policy and Practice Perspective. Oxford Oxford University Press. Gorbien, M. J., & Eisenstein, A. R. (2005). Elder Abuse and Neglect An Overview. Philadelphia, PA Elsevier. Hawes, C. (2003). Elder Abuse in Residential Long-Term Care Settings What Is know and What Information Is Needed? Washington, DC National Academies Press,. Nerenberg, L. (2002). Preventing Elder Abuse by Family Caregivers. Washington, D.C. National Council on Elder Abuse. Quinn, M. J., & Tomita, S. K. (1997). Elder Abuse and Neglect Causes, Diagnosis, and Intervention Strategies. new-fashioned York Springer Publishing Company. Thomason, D. (2011). Addressing The Cause of Elder Abuse A Critical Component to Aging Health Policy. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from Kaplan Unviersity Online http//www.kaplanuniversity.edu/publi c-service/articles/addressing-elder-abuse.aspx Vetere, P. M. (2011). Elder Abuse What Are We Missing? capital of Canada The College of Family Physicians of Canada. Woolf, L. M. (1998). Elder Abuse and Neglect. St. Louis, MO Webster University.