Elder Abuse...it's time to restore the respect
Tracey E. Russell
Many years ago, most of us actually lived by the adage, ‘It takes a village to raise a child' as was coined by the African Ghostwriter but revisited most recently by Hillary Rodham Clinton in her book, It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us.
Despite our ethnicities, most people grew up with elderly persons truly responsible for playing some vital role in the lives of the children in the home and/or neighboorhood. Our elders weren't perfect, but who is? The majority of the time, meals were cooked, children were bathed, and the parents didn't have to worry about childcare expenses. Fewer crimes would occur as people were less apt to break in mid-day on a latch-key child, as we say today, as there was grandma or grandpa sitting near in his/her chair with that ole' too familiar look and everyone in the neighboorhood knew them.
So, what has changed or greater than that, when was it acceptable to strike, abuse, mistreat, trick, and/or mismanage their hard earned monies? That's unsure, but it is is clear that adult caregivers, impatient children, rude family members, and salespersons all prey on the elderly.
Elder abuse occurs not only in nursing homes yet in private settings as well. Each year, more than 2 million vulnerable and older adults are victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Research has shown that older adults who are abused, neglected and exploited are 3x more likely to die within 10years than those who are not. This is absolutely absurd!!!
Families shouldn't feel lost. There are national entities designed to address this issue. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), directed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is committed to helping national, state, and local partners in the field be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The NCEA is a resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, and families.
Locally, most states haven't implemented a specific month designed to address the issue but law enforcement typically are dedicated to respondiing to the call when approached with such a concern. As a professional and parent, I implore you not to give up. As one without a close elder relative, but still having relationships with other elders, I recognize how imperative it is to continue to have such connectedness. Their heritage is irreplaceable. Their knowledge base is unique. Their history is second to known. Finally, their worth should be valued as priceless as well.
Let's talk and talk, and write and write, and yell and yell. At some point, we can become one step closer to putting this issue at the forefront of our daily communication and remember that those who reared us - our elders - yet deem respect too!
Many years ago, most of us actually lived by the adage, ‘It takes a village to raise a child' as was coined by the African Ghostwriter but revisited most recently by Hillary Rodham Clinton in her book, It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us.
Despite our ethnicities, most people grew up with elderly persons truly responsible for playing some vital role in the lives of the children in the home and/or neighboorhood. Our elders weren't perfect, but who is? The majority of the time, meals were cooked, children were bathed, and the parents didn't have to worry about childcare expenses. Fewer crimes would occur as people were less apt to break in mid-day on a latch-key child, as we say today, as there was grandma or grandpa sitting near in his/her chair with that ole' too familiar look and everyone in the neighboorhood knew them.
So, what has changed or greater than that, when was it acceptable to strike, abuse, mistreat, trick, and/or mismanage their hard earned monies? That's unsure, but it is is clear that adult caregivers, impatient children, rude family members, and salespersons all prey on the elderly.
Elder abuse occurs not only in nursing homes yet in private settings as well. Each year, more than 2 million vulnerable and older adults are victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Research has shown that older adults who are abused, neglected and exploited are 3x more likely to die within 10years than those who are not. This is absolutely absurd!!!
Families shouldn't feel lost. There are national entities designed to address this issue. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), directed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is committed to helping national, state, and local partners in the field be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The NCEA is a resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, and families.
Locally, most states haven't implemented a specific month designed to address the issue but law enforcement typically are dedicated to respondiing to the call when approached with such a concern. As a professional and parent, I implore you not to give up. As one without a close elder relative, but still having relationships with other elders, I recognize how imperative it is to continue to have such connectedness. Their heritage is irreplaceable. Their knowledge base is unique. Their history is second to known. Finally, their worth should be valued as priceless as well.
Let's talk and talk, and write and write, and yell and yell. At some point, we can become one step closer to putting this issue at the forefront of our daily communication and remember that those who reared us - our elders - yet deem respect too!
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