Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Elder Assault in Institutions: A Caveat Against Caregiving


Elder assault, even though a heinous crime, continues to be unreported and underreported in many parts of the world, including the United States. The debilitating conditions that accompany old age make elders vulnerable to an infirm and senile life that sometimes requires institutional placement. Many institutions, however, are profit centered businesses that care the least for elders’ incapacitation, their wishes and their privileges. Verbal aggression, isolation, and physical assault are some of the common forms of elder maltreatment by institutional caregivers. These offenses are rarely reported by the victim due to embarrassment and fear of the perpetrator.  Moreover, institutions, such as many nursing homes either lack trained caregivers or sometimes employ first-line staff on lower wages and without adequate professional training for cost savings.  Having a lower quality of care thus directly affects the residents and puts them at a higher risk for elder abuse. Physical assault in nursing homes, such as hitting, shoving food forcefully, administering psychotropic medications, restraints or involuntary confinement are far more deleterious for elders suffering with dementia or physical or mental disabilities. These severe impairments sometimes become a vantage point for many forms of abuse by institutional caregivers. 

Also, some institutions have rigid schedules, which more often appear like a ‘boot camp’ that elder residents need to follow against their will. Such practices quite often tend to infantilize the elderly thus harming their respect, dignity, and self-determination. Many elder residents are unaware of their rights and privileges as a nursing home resident. However, those who are aware of such benefits often restrain from taking action against malpractice. Moreover, even though the administration and management of these institutions is aware of elder abuse and misconduct, it rarely takes any action against it. Elder assault is a crime based on ageist attitude in the society and is hardly attended as a crucial issue even at the legislative level. Hence, understanding that physical frailty on account of old age is a normal and natural process of life and we all have to endure it at some point is consequential. Much responsibility also lies on family caregivers in terms of choosing the best alternatives for institutional placement though elders’ home is their safest haven. In addition, nursing home administration and management can reassess their hiring practices to appoint and retain the best talent, including rigorous and mandatory background checks of their employees, and regular service delivery and quality improvements. Finally, as bloggers, we can be spokesperson for campaigns against elder abuse and bolster the cause at local or state levels.

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6 comments:

  1. Friend, congratulations for this great post, and portrays the true reality of our elderly in some institutions. Sometimes family members believe their loved ones are being well cared for, but not what happens.
    Thanks friend for the post.

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  2. @Ricardo: Thanks for your comment and your invite for the event. It has been my pleasure to be a part of your noble campaign.

    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  3. Great initiative, Barkha! Its saddening to know of the recent issue regarding mistreatment of elderly people in institutions. And, this came to light only after it was secretly video taped. Reforms are definitely needed in the way these institutions are maintained.

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  4. A pleasure to hear from you Vee. The elderly are one among the many vulnerbale groups in our society and yes reforms at institutional level are necessary to ease the sufferings of this group.
    Thnaks for your comment
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  5. How timely. I've just returned from taking my neighbor to her doctor's appointment...a doctor who interrupted me every time I tried to explain her condition. I've watched hospital employees carry out their daily chores with obvious disdain. My coworker's sister has given up her livelihood to sit in a hospice with her ailing mother, just because of instances like this.

    We've forgotten that our elders have experienced far more than we have. They are the foundation of our spirit. Our elders deserve our complete honor and respect. Unfortunately, the field of medicine isn't different from the burger joint on your corner or the auto shop down the street; it's plagued with a new crop of workers who want their paychecks, want to go home, and hate everything in between. I think about this daily, and it hurts my heart.

    There's a great site for US residents called volunteermatch.org that will give you a list of all the opportunities to assist different groups in your local area. Volunteering on your own doesn't feel like a big deal, but consider the good times you may bring to a hospice or rehabilitation center resident...they just may help dissolve the bad ones.

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  6. Hey Alani,
    It is pretty sad to learn about your recent experiences. The plight of some elders can be really bad in some institutions where caregivers feel that elders are a burden in our society. I like the way you have mentioned about our elders contribution as being a foundation to our life. Thanks for the comment.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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