The Role Of Abuse In Nursing Homes

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Have you ever realized that many elders are faced with different kinds of abuse on a daily basis? According to ABC News, “Reports of serious physical, sexual and verbal abuse are ‘numerous’ among the nation’s nursing homes…” It’s hard to believe it, but elderly are abused sexually, financially, and are a victim to false imprisonment. To some people, however, elderly are the perfect target for being stolen from. Stealing from the elderly is considered “easy” because they tend to have a bad memory because of health issues. Many elders may think that they have just misplaced an item somewhere. Many elderly from nursing homes, as a result of abuse, become a victim to mental and emotional instability, and have their personal belongings stolen …show more content…
Many elderly are being abused in nursing homes in a variety of ways including: grotesque abuse, financial abuse, and false imprisonment. Grotesque abuse is typically an act of assault such as forced penetration, however, sexual harassment is also another type of sexual abuse. Grotesque abuse can be performed from other elderly people within the facility or even from the caregivers. According to the Consumer Justice Group, common forms of sexual abuse include forced nudity, pornographic picture taking or being shown pornographic material. Telling inappropriate jokes or stories, unwanted sexual touching, and having a resident inappropriately touch or kiss another’s body (Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes). Not only is sexual abuse physically abusing it is also mentally and emotionally abusing. Many of these cases are typically unreported because the elderly are either too timid or ashamed of what has happened …show more content…
Signs of financial abuse include cashing a resident’s checks without permission or authorization, forging a resident’s signature, financial exploitation of seniors, stealing or misusing a resident’s money or possessions, deceiving or coercing a resident to sign documents such as a contract or will, and improper use of guardianship, conservatorship or power of attorney (Financial Abuse). “…elderly financial abuse may cost victims roughly $2.6 billion each year (Financial Abuse).” It’s amazing that this issue doesn’t receive that much attention from the media. Elderly financial abuse will continue to increase with the aging population and the advancements in the populations. Many people that financial abuse the elderly are typically people who are in close relation to the victim. Most of these people that financially abuse the elderly include family members, colleagues, close friends, caregivers, and other residents. The elderly typically require medical equipment. As a result, people tend to want to steal these devices because of there worth. Plus to these thieves, they also realize that many elderly are forgetful making them an easy target for stealing. These devices and the elderly’s other personal belongings are commonly being stolen within facilities wither it is from a family member, a caretaker, or another resident of the facility. The elderly are also targets because they are less likely to