Persuasive Paper-Elder Abuse free essay sample

The seven main types of abuse include: physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial/material exploitation, neglect, sexual abuse, self-neglect, and abandonment (Sellas M. D). The exact definition of elder abuse entails: â€Å"intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm [†¦] to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trusted relationship to the elder† (Sellas M. D). Despite laws put in place to protect the elderly, state governments must enforce higher safety standards, and inform people through education about the effects of this abuse. In regard to the safety and good health of the elderly, many laws have already been put in place by the national and state governments. A majority of these laws seem very strict, precise, and straight to the point. For example, ABC News writer David Ruppe says: â€Å"It can be as simple as a caretaker failing to protect a patient from another patient’s abuse† (Ruppe). We will write a custom essay sample on Persuasive Paper-Elder Abuse or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The laws in place, not only protect the patients from the abuse of a caretaker, but also protect them from patient-on-patient abuse. The article written by staff at ABC News also gives a fair representation of patient-on-patient reports: â€Å"Stringent regulations require reporting even the most minor of incidents, such as one resident slapping another† (Ruppe). With these laws in place, they give a good piece of mind when thinking of the aged citizens that live in a nursing or care home. Although we have these laws in place, it does not completely ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly that they should protect. When national and state governments enforce laws, not only will senior citizens be far safer, but also nursing and care facilities will shed the dreadful reputation of being unsafe places to reside. Many people believe being placed in a nursing or care home means they don’t matter and what they think or say will no longer be considered. But the elderly do have feelings and thoughts, and when the government enforces laws, the elderly should feel better about receiving care. It all begins with the patients though; most of the seniors who currently receive care receive abuse as well, and they need to know how to make it stop. One Article Reports: â€Å"For every reported incident of domestic elder abuse or neglect, approximately five go unreported, according to the Administration on Aging† (Elder and Nursing Home Abuse Violations). The national and state governments need to give elderly citizens more opportunities to speak out, and make sure the government enforces the laws. Also, nursing and care facilities often receive very little funding; this causes several problems in the system. For the facilities to shed their awful reputations, the government not only needs to enforce laws but also provide more funding. When the facilities obtain sufficient funding, it will create a better working atmosphere for the aides, and a better, safer atmosphere for the patients. ABC World News reported: â€Å"Insufficient funding is very likely to be a cause of abuse and anger† (Ruppe). Funding, a major catalyst, will help to start the move towards a safer, more welcoming place for the elderly to receive care. Gaining awareness, receiving more funding, and enforcing laws to protect senior citizens, will move the fight against elder abuse in the right direction. Enforcing laws in nursing and care facilities will directly benefit both the elderly patients and the care physician. With laws enforced, and families and patients informed, a world of worry dissolves from the patient and the family. When patients and families don’t need to worry about the safety or livelihood in a nursing or care home, it benefits everyone. The census bureau states, â€Å"According to the U. S. Census Bureau, people 65 years of age and older accounted for 12. 5% of the US population in 2000† (Sellas M. D. ). It would be a huge relief for everyone if laws were enforced. Also, the work environment for the care and nursing physicians would greatly benefit from the enforcement of elder abuse safety regulations. As stated previously, most acts of violence in the nursing and care fields occur when employees collect low wages and feel miserable because of their working environment. When the government enforces laws, it creates a better working environment and then a safer environment for patients. In many cases, nurses and other caregivers may not know exactly what forms elder abuse can take. They need to be informed, in a variety of ways. According to the Oxford Journal, â€Å"There is an annual world Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse has United Nations and World Health Organization support† (McAlpine). National Elder Abuse Awareness day benefits people in so many ways because it can be used to educate family caregivers and nurses as well about the ill effects of Elder Abuse. State governments should make it a priority to inform the public about elder abuse, as well as enforce higher safety standards in care facilities. When national and state governments do the proper job, it will directly benefit everyone involved; first of all, it protects and benefits the elderly, as well as the nurses and caregivers. A better work environment will be another high priority achievement. By enforcing laws and informing the public, bad reputations of nursing homes go away, and it will create a better environment and benefit all parties. One article states: â€Å"Almost a third of the nursing homes in the United States were cited for abuse violations during a two-year period ending on January 1, 2001†(Elder and Nursing Home Abuse Violations). The elderly hold an important piece to the puzzle in our country, and deserve ample respect. So next time you hear a story on the news about abuse, or pass by a nursing or care facility, realize that your grandparents-the people you love- could be put in a dangerous situation, and make a pact to change things.