We all have grandparents who love us and care for us in our life. At most times, some people have grandparents that they have never met due to being long distance or have passed away early. But, I am sure that we have all been told and have been raised to learn that we must all treat the elderly with respect, because without them, where would we be? After all, they are the ones who have started our generation, so we must give respect back. In this article it describes how elders with physical disabilities are mistreated and how they are often abused and neglected by their loved ones and the workers in their nursing homes.
"Family situations were not the only places where abuse and neglect of the elderly were discovered; nursing homes and other long-term care establishments were identified as places where frail, elderly people were vulnerable to mistreatment" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 203, Vladeck 1980). This is really heartbreaking to read about. These are people who brought us into the world, and started a great generation. Just reading that these elders are constantly being mistreated in their nursing homes, most likely the last place they will ever be at confuses me. They already have a physical disability and I just do not understand how these workers who are getting paid to assist the elders for an enjoyable remaining years are taking their freedom away from them, let alone, these elders own family members are neglecting them. It mentions that "abuse was caused by caregiver stress" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 205, Steinmetz 1977; 1978; 1981). I am curious to know if these caregivers were even given the proper education to care for elders with physical disabilities. Reading this article mentions how caregivers are put under a lot of stress and anxiety dealing with the responsibility of caring for an elder with physical disabilities and "the notion of physical and emotional abuse in particular were a consequence of overworked and under appreciated family caregivers". First of all, they should not of been in this type of work environment if they are put into that much stress, that they must abuse these elders in any way. I do understand that these workers and family members are put under a lot of stress such as caring for someone who is not capable of caring for them self, and making many sacrifices to do so, but it is a matter of sacrificing many things to continue to provide the elders with physical disabilities with the proper care and love to make their remaining years memorable and enjoyable.
"4% of elders in Canadian private dwellings (approximately 98,000 people) reported being abused. Financial abuse was the most common type of reported abuse, affecting 60,000 Canadian elders. 12,000 seniors in Canada experienced physical abuse" (Victims of Violence Canada - Elder Abuse 2008. Prevalence of Elder Abuse). The common abuse in elders with physical disabilities is sky rocketing. Abusing an elder in any way is just as worse as abusing a new born baby, they are vulnerable and a weak target to get at and take advantage of, especially since these elders are physically disabled, they have no control. One of the most important things here is that the elders receive a great amount of money from the government which they have deserved, and financial abuse is the most common type of abuse in elders. Family members and others who have access to their accounts are taking this away from them unknowingly.
So how much is too much? How can we stop this mistreatment? These elders with physical disabilities should definitely not be treated the way they are. I would really like to know how any one can treat elders with disrespect and take advantage of what they have and how weak they are. These people are great leaders that have grown old, and now they need us to make their remaining years a great and memorable one.
- Angelene S.
VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE 2008 - ELDER ABUSE
http://www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/rev2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=343&Itemid=33
ROBERT M. GORDON & DEBORAH BRILL 2001: THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE ELDERLY
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=smU2BFA5e_UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA203&dq=elders+with+physical+disabilities+canada&ots=GkbE2MHLQP&sig=hqORhgL8s1QisA7zbPW_lkEI-wU#v=onepage&q&f=false
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