SOWK 304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Physical Abuse, Dementia, Economic Abuse
5 Jul 2018
Department
Course
Professor
SOWK 304 Elder Abuses in America
Started in 1980s by getting on national radar. Passed Elder Abuse Act of 1988: Prevention,
identification, and treatment of abuse
1992 Older Americans Act was Amended. $15 million in elder abuse programs
oInstituted in 1965 originally (Johnson)
oGave federal authority for grants to individuals states for states to decide how they
were going to administer federal funds
To be used for community planning and social services
oCurrently there are 56 state agencies on aging
o244 tribal organizations on aging (Native American)
o2 native Hawaiian organization representing 400 tribes
Elder Mistreatment: single or repeated act, lack of appropriate action occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older
person
Specific Types of Elder Mistreatment
oElder Abuse
oNeglect
oExploitation
The laws that define elder abuse vary from state to state, and so do the
definitions
National center on elder abuse: domestic, institutional elder abuse, self-neglect
and self-abuse
South Carolina Department of Adult Protective Services
oAlso, Elder abuse hotline: 803-898-7318
Population of 65 and older is expected to double by 2050, and the abuse based upon population
will increase
o1 in 14 actual abuse cases are reported
oLarge percent of abusers are often family members, much like child abuse
If an older adult is in a nursing home a higher risk of abuse is on caregivers.
Abuse isn’t reported based on lack of evidence and fear of retribution (abuse will get worse)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Domestic Abuse: mistreatment of any older adult, typically by a family member, family friend, or
caregiver
Signs of physical abuse on adult to look for:
oUnexplained bruises and welts (bruises heal slower)
oUnexplained burns
oUnexplained fracturs, lacerations, or abrasions
oUnexplained hair loss
oEvidence of past injuries that have no healed properly
Older folks in hospitals or nursing homes, can be sexually assaulted
Sexual Abuse Signs
oDifficulty in walking or sitting
oTorn, stained, or bloody undergarments
oBruises or bleeding in genital area
oPain or itching
oReluctance to bath or perform normal hygiene activities
Emotional Mistreatment
oResort to childlike behaviors
oDevelop a conduct disorder
oMay develop sleep disorders
oSpeech may become impaired
oCan develop psychiatric disorders (compulsions, phobia, hypochondriac)
Older Adults can be exploited financially
oIf they have slight dementia family members can persuade individual to sign over bank
accounts, house, will, social security checks
Institutional Abuse:
oNursing homes
oGroup homes
oBoarding homes
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Started in 1980s by getting on national radar. Passed elder abuse act of 1988: prevention, identification, and treatment of abuse. million in elder abuse programs: instituted in 1965 originally (johnson, gave federal authority for grants to individuals states for states to decide how they were going to administer federal funds. To be used for community planning and social services: currently there are 56 state agencies on aging, 244 tribal organizations on aging (native american, 2 native hawaiian organization representing 400 tribes. Elder mistreatment: single or repeated act, lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. Specific types of elder mistreatment: elder abuse, neglect, exploitation. The laws that define elder abuse vary from state to state, and so do the definitions. National center on elder abuse: domestic, institutional elder abuse, self-neglect and self-abuse.
