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Elder Abuse Can Lead to Early Death
Studies suggest a higher risk of premature death among older adults who suffer abuse. Therefore, it is imperative to know the warning signs of abuse and protect your loved ones.
January 06, 2010 /Seniors PR News/ -- Elder Abuse Can Lead to Early Death
Article provided by Knapp & Roberts
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A new study suggests that the risk of premature death among older adults who suffer abuse is more than double that of seniors who live free of ill treatment.
The study from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago was published in the August 5, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The Rush University study was in-depth. Researchers analyzed records for 9,318 seniors 65 years of age and older, enrolled between 1993 and 2005 in the Chicago Health and Aging Project, a study of a community-dwelling population. Researchers conducted face-to-face interviews to assess participants' health histories, physical fitness, cognitive abilities, health behaviors and psychosocial behaviors.
Elder Abuse
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse can take many forms.
-Physical abuse: using physical force to injure or threaten a vulnerable senior.
-Emotional abuse: verbal assaults, threats, emotional isolation or rejection, demeaning acts or statements causing mental anguish or distress to an elder.
-Sexual abuse: sexual contact with a vulnerable senior, including those unable to grant consent. The contact can be the result of force, deception, threats or other coercion.
-Financial exploitation: includes theft and fraud, the misuse of authority, exploiting undue influence over a vulnerable person in order to gain control of the elder's money or property.
-Neglect: the failure or refusal of a caregiver to provide for a vulnerable senior's physical needs, emotional needs or safety.
-Abandonment: the desertion by a caregiver of a frail or otherwise vulnerable elder.
-Self-neglect: when a senior is unable to understand the consequences of their own actions or inaction, which can or does lead to endangerment or harm.
Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
In too many cases, elder abuse takes place in nursing homes. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates at least one in 20 nursing home residents has been victimized by abuse or neglect.
According to the best research on the topic, elder abuse is widespread. An estimated one to two million Americans aged 65 years or older has been injured, exploited or otherwise harmed by someone they counted on for care or safety.
Dr. XinQi Dong, researcher and geriatrician at Rush University Medical Center and the Rush University study's lead author said, "With the rapidly growing aged population in this country, problems of elder abuse will likely become even more pervasive, affecting our family, friends and loved ones."
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that nursing home neglect played a role in nearly 14,000 nursing home patients' deaths between 1999 and 2002.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The Elder Foundation says there are warning signs of elder abuse to look for when you visit your loved one.
-Cuts, bruises, burns, a sprain or fracture that the nursing home staff can't or won't explain satisfactorily
-Bedsores
-Unexplained sexually transmitted disease or genital infection; unexplained vaginal/anal bleeding; bloody/soiled underclothes
-Abrupt changes in behavior or mood
-Nursing home staff restricts visitations or refuses to allow visitors
-Staff won't allow visitors to be alone with the resident
-Nursing home resident appears to be kept in a state of over-medication
-Abrupt changes in the resident's will or other estate plans; large withdrawals from bank accounts
What to Do if Nursing Home Abuse is Suspected
If you suspect your loved one may be a victim of elder abuse in the nursing home where they live, the problems should immediately be brought to the nursing home staff's attention. Make sure your concerns are documented and that the staff acts promptly to correct the problems. If problems persist, or if new problems arise, contact an attorney who can advise you of the protections the law affords you and your loved one.
Article provided by Knapp & Roberts
Visit us at www.krattorneys.com
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