There are still many cases of elder abused, neglected, and exploited every year. The abuse cases can be seen right in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in social centers.
Hand in hand together to stop elder abuse
It is time for you to be aware of elder abuse emergencies and raise your voice to actions as seeing one of the following situations:
- Physical Elder Abuse – slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means which damage on elders.
- Sexual Elder Abuse – non-consensual sexual contact of any kind which cause bruises around breasts or genitals, torn, stained, or bloody underclothing, etc.
- Elder Neglect – the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.
- Elder Exploitation – the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else’s benefit.
- Emotional Elder Abuse – inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening.
- Abandonment – desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
- Self-neglect – characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks and that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety.
Care to senior is responsibility of not only an individual but also whole community. Importantly, be alert and be encouraged.
Seeing the arguments between the caregivers and elders or strange behavioral changes in elders can be signs of some abuses. If you can not take action personally, tell to others and authorities to verify any suspected abuses.