|
|
|
|
If a country's name is underlined, click it to go to the news items. Otherwise, just scroll down. Countries are listed alphabetically
The World
(Article in French) The World Health Organization is concerned about poor or cruel care of older persons. Very few data reports are available on the extent of the phenomena; however, we do know that maltreatment in institutions -nursing homes, hospitals- is very high in developed countries. Also, many experts think that this issue will grow as the global older population increases around the world in an environment of nearly universal budgetary constraints. http://www.globalaging.org/health/world/2011/WHO.html
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) is launching a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be held on June 15, 2006. This project will be in partnership and collaboration with interested individuals, agencies, organizations, NGO's, governments and corporations. The day will focus efforts across the globe to raise awareness of elder abuse in a coordinated fashion for the first time.
Africa
A three-day meeting regarding the elderly in Africa noted rising violations of rights of older people, and recommended formulation of country policies to effectively address their concerns. The meeting, organized by HelpAge International (HelpAge) from June 10 to 12, brought together a technical working group of various organizations working with older people in 10 African countries. According to HelpAge International, "the pervading attitude among many people is that older persons have outlived their usefulness, are unproductive and over-dependent, and have not rights to claim." www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/abuse.htm
An Algerian woman, 80
years old, claims that the Municipality Counsel abused her. He knocked on her
door and showed his good intentions by giving her a couscous meal. But when she
opened the door for him, he hit her and abused her sexually. Elder abuse is
everywhere! www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/woman.htm
Australia: Jail Those Who Hurt Elderly, Say Police (January 30, 2010) A disturbing increase in attacks on Queensland's most vulnerable people has police calling for offenders who assault the elderly to be jailed automatically. A series of high-profile attacks in the past 12 months has added to the perception that elderly people are increasingly at risk of violence. Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said people convicted of assaults on people older than 65 should be automatically jailed for a minimum of three months. Police have becoming increasingly frustrated with arresting people who commit crimes of extreme violence only to have the courts impose little or no actual jail time.
Many
believe
that
elderly
care
centers
are
endangering
their
residents
in
Australia.
Only
one
registered
nurse,
on
average,
is
available
for
every
42
high
care
residents
living
in
care
homes.
Many
facilities
do
not
have
senior
nurse
wards
overnight
or
available
on
weekends.
Institutions
often
pay
low
wages
and
some
workers
receive
only
three
weeks
of
training.
Common
problems
include
a
lack
of
understanding
for
medications
needed
for
bed
sores,
offer
very
poor
nutrition
and
fail
to
administer
medications.
A
sorry
situation
that
violates
human
rights
of
elders.
http://www.globalaging.org/health/world/2009/care.htm
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2007/agedcare.pdf
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/skinny.htm
The current scandal in Australia dealing with the treatment of older persons in nursing homes has led to the political demise of a government minister. The last straw in this scandal involves a male employee of a Victorian nursing home who has been charged with raping four elderly inmates in their 90s. Advocacy groups are pushing the Australian Government to implement the basic requirements already applied for the care and protection of children to older persons as well. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/proteld.htm
In a Victorian Nursing Home a male staff career allegedly raped a 98 year-old woman on several occasions as well as sexually harassed other patients. The case has sparked a scandal in Australia, where the ABC TV show Lateline hosted the elderly woman's granddaughters for an interview. The women said their grandmother suffered from dementia and was taken to a nursing home five years ago. Her health deteriorated in the past six months and she showed signs of abuse. The police confirmed the rape last December. This case highlights Australian law's failure to address elderly abuse promptly in nursing homes.
During a ten day period in Sydney, the bodies of 5 deceased senior citizens went unnoticed in their home. Such news has shocked the public who considers its country becoming tougher every year. "What sort of a heartless society can it be in which elderly are so irrelevant and unimportant that they can die alone and unnoticed, unmissed for months on end?," asked Sydney's The Daily Telegraph.
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/rife.htm
Australian states are blaming the Commonwealth for the practice of leaving the elderly to languish in hospitals due to lack of nursing home beds, a practice known as granny dumping. In response to the blame, Australian Ageing Minister Mr. Kevin Andrews yesterday claimed that elderly Australians had as much right to hospital care as younger people. www.globalaging.org/health/world/right.htm
Bahrain
Bahrain: Bahrain Human Rights Society Reports Violations of Older People's
Rights in Bahrain (April 8, 2009)
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/fight.pdf
Researchers from Mexico and Canada reported on abuse of older persons in their respective countries at the Academy of Quebec and called for the rights of older persons. As they carried out their research, the professors exchanged experiences. The conference ended with the adoption of a project: "Model of Friendly Care: A Project for Community Development."
The provincial government has signed an agreement with a non-profit group to use so-called 'therapeutic clowns' in nursing homes, even though critics say basic care for the elderly is woefully inadequate. Hundreds of private nursing homes as well as homes for the elderly are without properly trained staff, according to patients' rights groups. They contend that the elderly can go days without being washed in nursing homes. They are often left alone to eat and they receive inadequate care for some of their most basic needs. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/clowns.htm
To
break
down
the
loneliness
of
old
people,
a
pilot
project
has
been
launched
in
Montreal.
Volunteers
will
visit
older
persons
living
alone
in
private
nursing
homes.
The
initiative
is
a
welcome
development
and
deserves
to
be
expanded
to
the
whole
country.
Only
autonomous
or
semi-autonomous
people
are
eligible
for
the
visits
because
there
is
no
follow-up
care
for
people
suffering
from
Alzheimer's
disease,
for
instance.
Due
to
the
common
mistreatment
of
seniors,
the
selection
of
patrons
will
be
very
rigorous.
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/escroquerie.htm
Older women fleeing abusive relationships will soon have more options for safe and affordable supportive housing as construction begins on twenty-three new transitional units in Victoria. The $4.5 million Harrison Place will provide transitional housing with tenancy for up to three years for women aged 45 - 65 who have left abusive relationships and are working towards the goal of living independently in the community. For more information visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/News/nere/2005/2005-11-29-1700.cfm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/canimprove.htm
With discrimination over age, physical and mental abuse, neglect, carelessness, fraud and more. The lives of older persons can become unbearable. During a special week dedicated to ending abuse of the elderly, the association RQCAA (Network of Quebec against abuse on older persons) wants to increase people's knowledge on this topic. In a recently published booklet, the organization asks many questions: "Did you know that up to 15% of the elderly are abused?" or: "Did you know that 50% of the people who commit suicide are over 65?" www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/battus.htm
Acting on the request from Quebec's ministry for family, elderly and women's rights, the Elderly Council published a report entitled, "Encouraging Full Elder Participation in Quebec's development," in order to build a Quebec "for all ages." The Elderly Council sought ways to use the energy and talents of some 2.5 million older persons in improving Quebec's development. This report presents 17 suggestions to engage them, or conversely, to overcome elders' feeling of being abandoned. It highlights the necessity of organizing an information and promotion campaign about the image of older people. The report could have been even more interesting by generating ideas and methods to achieve intergenerational projects such as engaging very old persons with midlife professionals. The project reveals that governments are trying new approaches in this provocative regional assessment.
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/AINES_Rapport13-07[1].pdf
At its recent annual general meeting, the Canadian Nurses Association passed several
resolutions, including one for a national elder abuse incidence registry. CNA is
the professional voice of registered nurses in
http://press.arrivenet.com/nfp/article.php/659658.html
The Decision-Making, Support and Protection to Adults Act and related legislation was passed by the Yukon Legislature in December, 2003. Most of the legislation came into force on May 2, 2005. The adult protection provisions will come into force on September 1, 2005 to allow time for policy development and staff training. www.gov.yk.ca/news/2005/05-120.html
In March, 2005, the government of Manitoba announced the development of a bill of rights for residents of private and not-for-profit personal care homes. The law also sets out limits on how residents can be physically restrained if they are in danger of harming themselves or others. Operators will also be required to help residents set up a council to discuss any care-related issues. www.canada.com/winnipeg/globaltv/story.html?id=d5f2edf4-2ab3-45af-959c-2061112b9d82
www3.gov.ab.ca/foip/commissioners_orders/orders/news/2003/2003-010news.cfm
A new study was initiated in the Fall of 2004 by the University of Western Ontario and its partners looking at the long term effects of abuse on women's health. The Canadian Press news item on the study can be found at:
http://montreal.cbc.ca/regionalnews/caches/qc-homes20041210.html
www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/06/nb-elder-050406.html
Chile: Bill Seeks to Punish Relatives of Older People for Theft (December 7, 2009) (Article in Spanish) This December the Chilean Congress will vote on legislation that would punish direct relatives of older people who cause harm, theft or fraud to an older person. The law would define older persons as a specific group in the domestic violence law, currently only aimed at children, women and disabled persons. According to the Interior Ministry, 20% of the elderly have suffered some kind of mistreatment, but only 1% actually report the abuse. This initiative is very important to protect and defend elder rights. In Chile, 13 out of 100 people are considered older, and the oldest age group (80 years) is growing at a fast rate.
Chile:
Old Woman Found in Deplorable State Raises Awareness on Elder Rights (January
30, 2006)
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/casodina.htm
One in Three Elderly Adults Suffers Some Form of Abuse (September 23, 2005) (Article in Spanish)
http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=45040604&u=417225
China: How to Provide Seniors "Emotional Care" (January 31, 2010) (Article in Chinese) "Emotional care" refers to emotional and physiological care, where in China the care providers in a family are the children. When seniors don't receive the respect and the physical care they once enjoyed within the family, they may suffer tremendous emotional pain.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=153572326&u=1488710
In Bogota there are more than 500 nursing
homes, but only 210 are registered with the Public Health Ministry. The
authorities have found that even those with licenses break serious health and
safety regulations. Cockroaches, high humidity, dirt, and lack of bathrooms are
among the awful conditions in which many elderly live. Inadequate meals, using
expired medications, and few or no medical personnel are also part of the
alarming reality of these nursing homes. The local government closed four
centers and will pass a law to regulate these homes.
Costa Rica: Family Members Deceive Older Persons to Take Away Possessions
(November 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish) Jose Joaquin Vargas was going to his usual medical checkup when he entered the bus and showed his senior citizen identification. The bus driver seemed bothered by Mr. Vargas and called him a "lazy old man." At age 72, Vargas is one of the candidates for Congress in Costa Rica, and is tired of being treated as an inferior person just because he's old. "With the support of my fellow senior citizens we will have a voice in the Assembly and a chance to defend our rights as Costa Rican citizens," he proclaimed in a recent speech. His campaign's priority is raising awareness about the rights of older persons.
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/violencediscrimi.htm
France: 200 Nursing Homes Illegally Administered (December 2, 2009) (Article in French) After finding cases of mistreatment in nursing homes in Bayonne, Nora Berra, the Minister for Older Persons launched an investigation charging the homes of catering to dependent older persons without being authorized by the State. The investigation showed some alarming practices: more than 200 nursing homes do not have a legal administration. If these nursing homes don't comply with regulations, they may be closed beginning March 31, 2010.
Seven months after the broadcast on channel 2 of the documentary, "The Infiltrated" showing scenes of insufferable mistreatment, the State Secretary of the Solidarity Val鲩e L鴡rd presented on Wednesday the main focus of her ''good treatment'' plan. Mistreatment in nursing homes is not inevitable. According to data collected since setting up a hotline 13 months ago, one case out of six is happening in an institution for older people.
The
French
Hospital
Federation
plans
to
establish
"indicators"
of
mistreatment
in
nursing
homes.
According
to
the
founder
of
the
project,
huge
opposition
rests
on
the
fact
that
the
issue
is
regarded
as
a
financial
rather
than
a
human
problem.
The
funds
raised
by
those
establishments
from
the
French
Department
Councils
are
strongly
linked
to
the
degree
of
dependence
of
the
retired
persons.
This
explains
the
advantage
of
avoiding
encouraging
their
autonomy
and
the
"artificial
creation
of
bedridden
persons."
There
are
five
supposed
pertinent
and
objective
indicators
to
introduce
and
to
communicate
regularly,
allowing
control
in
the
long
run
that
is
much
more
efficient
than
random
controls.
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/maltraitance.htm
Le
dimanche
15
juin
2008
fut
la
troisième
journée
contre
«
la
maltraitance
des
personnes
âgées
».
Les
organisateurs
de
cette
journée
cherchent
à
interpeller
les
français
sur
les
conditions
de
vie
de
leurs
aînés.
Selon
Régine
Delplanque,
directrice
des
soins
infirmiers
au
CHU
de
Boulogne,
il
est
important
de
prendre
soin
des
personnes
âgées.
Elle
nous
met
en
garde
contre
la
maltraitance
des
personnes
âgées
et
pose
le
problème
du
manque
de
moyens
dans
les
institutions
aujourd’hui.
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/maltraitance.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/battues.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/vieumigrant.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/domicile.htm
Professionals sometimes abuse older persons in nursing
homes. In addition, personnel in specialty hospitals can harm older persons
suffering from Alzheimer disease (both physically and emotionally).
From 700,000 to 800,000 old people, most of them women, are victims of abuse: not only physical but also psychological abuses. The victims live in their own home or in a nursing home. Thanks to increasing controls and a prevention campaign, the authorities catch abusers. In 2003, 65 nursing homes and specialized institutions closed. However, France has to keep working on this issue in order to provide elderly with the well-being they deserve. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/65.htm
http://www.globalaging.org/health/world/2006/chinanursery.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/newbill.htm
<http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=35893479&u=325153>
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/increasing.htm
In this report the Health Service Executive (HSE) reveals an increasing number of cases of elder abuse in Ireland. Nearly two thirds of all victims were female and most of the cases involve psychological abuse, neglect, financial matters, and physical assault. The alleged abusers were mainly people with the closest relationship to the older person, such as a child or a spouse. The most common person to report an abuse was a public health nurse or hospital member. The HSE also participates in an annual 'Say No to Ageism' campaign that challenges negative stereotyping and attitudes towards older people. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/Ireland.pdf
Elder abuse was among the subjects raised at the 10th annual conference of Nefesh-Israel, a voluntary organization of observant social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and others headed by Dr. Judith Guedalia and Leah Rosen. The conference discussed the negative images of the elderly in Israeli society, the fact that many are hidden from view, and the notion that behavior inside the home need not be made public, contributing to difficulties in exposing abuse. The victim is often unaware of his or her rights, ashamed of being maltreated and of "poorly educating" an abusive child.
According to the recent poll, 45% of Israeli seniors over 57 years suffer from loneliness. The survey also revealed that 12% of respondents feel "totally isolated from life" and 5% "have neither relatives nor friends." Another survey held in Israel this year also showed that every fifth pensioner in Israel has suffered some form of abuse in his or her life. What actions will the Israeli government take to assure that seniors get the care and treatment they need?
Italian police found an illegal camp for older people with psychological
disorders who had been abandoned by their families. The "patients" survived in
abysmal unsanitary conditions, with expired food and drug products. Many camp
residents appeared in critical condition. The police arrested the head of the
camp, a 57-year old psychiatrist. http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=57451469&u=528307>
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/eldobstacles.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/moves.htm
While Japan's aging population is usually talked of in terms of innovative robotics, recently a new problem-long submerged-has come out: abuse of the elderly. A frank, but disturbing, national study may point the way to change. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/stem.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/japanabuse.htm < color="#0000FF">
According to the Institute for Health Economics and Policy, sons mistreat the largest percentage of elderly people abused at home in Japan. The analysis revealed that the victims are in average 81 years old and 76 percent of them are women. Psychological abuse is the first abuse observed closely followed by the abdication of responsibility for the elderly and physical abuse. Many caregivers are unaware that they are abusing the elderly making the situation even more dangerous. http://en.groundspring.org/en/go?j=2820002&u=8883
Unable to cope with the burden of looking after the elderly, many Japanese families physically abuse them or cease caring for them. To study the state of abuse and consider preventative measures, a Japanese association for the prevention of abuse of the elderly will be established in August. The first such organization in this country, it aims to protect the human rights of elderly people who have been abused and promote measures to assist families and nursing-care service providers. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/association.htm
After investigating all retirement homes in the region, members of the
prosecution office of the Karagandan region revealed immense violations of
constitutional rights of the elderly. None of the 18 regional retirement homes
abides by the standards and principles of protection and support for the elderly
and invalids. The nature of the abuse differs from home to home, but the
officers pointed out the most striking facts present in almost all
establishments: the elderly did not receive any clothes, nor did they receive
sufficient food. Moreover, invalids and mentally disturbed patients often lived
together in exceptionally cramped spaces. A home called "Namis" presented the
most appalling example, where 90 elderly people lived in abysmal unsanitary
conditions. They slept on dirty, worn-out mattresses without bed sheets in
temperature of 3-5 degrees Celsius, and cooked for themselves in their own
rooms. The retirement home director took away the older persons' pensions
without their consent. The director left them only 10% of their pensions for
their own discretion, which they spent on food. Prosecution officers arrested
the director; she now faces criminal charges. No state law regulates the
activity of private retirement homes so much abuse occurs with no chance of
redress.
/www.globalaging.org/health/world/2005/KoreaJ.htm
Malaysia
For the past 14 years, the Gerontological Association of Malaysia (GEM) has worked to raise awareness of issues surrounding older adults. GEM insists that as the population of older adults increases in Malay society, people need to be more prepared to take care of frail and disabled older adults, as well as the still active, retired ones. GEM has learned that family members do not take care of older parents as widely believed. GEM warns that insufficient care from one's adult children can result in neglect and loneliness among older adults. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/malaysiaattention.htm
A study by Age Concern shows that the majority of abused seniors say they were psychologically or financially abused in their own home by family members. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/abuse.nz.htm
In Canterbury, New Zealand, recent statistics show a huge increase of elder abuse cases: 65 percent more than in 2002 Age Concern report. According to Andrew Dickerson, chief executive of the association, these data are only the tip of the iceberg and more abuses are not denounced. Often, abuses come from family members or relatives, who deal with drug or alcohol problems. The victims don't want to speak about that since they worry about losing their family support. But this issue needs to be addressed, since it's wrong to ignore old victims alone. http://en.groundspring.org/en/go?j=2412681&u=7176
http://www.globalaging.org/armedconflict/countryreports/asiapacific/kiloldpak.htm
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=153572326&u=1488686
Preying on the misery of older persons who happen to live alone, lots of "businessmen" have appeared in Russia. Genadyi Kiselev, 62 , who lives in Ylyanovsk became another victim of those someone who promised to care for him in the exchange for his house. As a result, this trusting pensioner ended up without a house or important personal documents. The local government as well as hospitals refuse to help him since he is not in possession of a passport. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/net.htm
Saudi Arabia
Assaults on the elderly are increasing in
Saudi society. Although the rates of assault on older persons are not great,
they must be investigated. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Gharib, a sociology professor,
asserts that the elderly should be included on the list of people benefiting
from social protection. He adds that laws and regulations should be established
to punish the perpetrators. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/assaultingeld.htm
The Muhammadiyah Health and Day Care Center in Singapore held its Walk and Wheelathon event to help raise funds for the center. On this occasion, Minister of State (Health and Transport) Dr Balaji Sadasivan reported many families were moving older adults to nursing homes instead of caring for them at home. Nursing homes and day care centers have 90% and 60% occupancy rate respectively. Dr Sadasivan emphasized the importance of living with family for the quality of life of older adults. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/Singaporenh.htm
http://globalag.igc.org/elderrights/world/2004/delaisse.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/southafricasocialwork.htm
After intervening in two cases of elder abuse by family members, the Department of Social Development in South Africa is calling on citizens and organizations to act against elder abuse. The department placed the two elderly victims in a safe home, but department spokesperson Gcobani Maswana said, “We still believe that the place for them is with their families.” Maswana said the department will act vigorously for the protection of the elderly, and to prevent psychological, physical or sexual abuse against older persons. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/abuse.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2004/protect.htm
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2009/mistreatment.htm
The
government
of
Len
and
Castilla
is
launching
a
program
that
will
address
and
prevent
abuse
and
violence
against
the
elderly.
Along
with
the
Attention
and
Protection
Law
for
Older
Persons,
this
program
aims
to
guarantee
the
safety
of
older
adults
by
intensifying
inspections
of
houses
and
institutions.
Professionals
who
work
with
the
elderly
will
be
trained
to
detect
and
report
abuse
and
negligence. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/maltratoelderly.htm
http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=53417088&u=495148
The Consumers' Foundation in Taiwan inspected 28 nursing homes and found conditions that they described as unsanitary, cramped and unsafe. There are 900 registered nursing homes in the country, but the Consumers' Foundation raised doubts about whether these were regularly inspected. In defiance of state regulations, 19 nursing homes did not have staircase railings and 15 did not have wheelchair ramps. Twenty-two of the homes were overcrowded by the standards of state regulations and some did not have enough doctors to care adequately for the patients. The foundation highlighted the country’s aging population and stressed that the government should better manage, inspect and subsidize nursing homes.
http://www.globalaging.org/ruralaging/world/2009/comicrelief.htm
In the United Kingdom, a Member of Parliament has proposed legislation for measuring and preventing the elderly from physical and emotional abuse. The bill would reinforce existing policies designed to protect the elderly from a range of abusive trends. The legislation would also emphasize prevention, demonstrating the need for a major cultural shift towards understanding the circumstances and factors and acknowledging the reality of its effects. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2010/measure.htm
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2007/Briefing_paper_Prevalence.pdf
Abuse of older people, especially women, is becoming quite frequent in Britain. The majority of mistreatment happens in care homes and hospitals. In order to raise awareness and attract more attention to the problem, BBC Radio will start a campaign against elder mistreatment on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Day. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2006/abuse1.htm
In the past few years, many studies have been done about elder abuse but most of them considered elder abuse when considering violence within the family. No study has focused on older men. What's new in this report is the fact that it considers women and men separately. As a matter of fact, it cites for instance the fact that "granny bashing" has been replaced by the expression "elder abuse." But gender matters, especially when dealing with older people. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/ombattu.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/summit.htm
A charity campaigning to end the abuse of elderly people in the UK says it receives 1,500 reports of neglect and violence to its hotline every year. It has analyzed the 10,000 calls to its abuse hotline over the six year period. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4051603.stm
According to the UK National Care Standards Commission (NCSC), almost 45% of older people’s care homes do not administer drugs to their patients safely. NCSC inspectors also uncovered many forms of elder abuse and neglect, responding to 1,278 complaints of abuse last year. Another commission, the Commission for Healthcare Inspection (CHI), also pointed out “serious service failures” such as staff problems or bad governance in UK care homes. www.globalaging.org/health/world/2004/care.htm
A former
load provost of Edinburgh has accused staff at a Scottish hospital of killing
his mother through neglect. According to his letter, his mother's weight
plummeted when lack of care led to the development of bedsores and mouth and
throat infections while nutrition and fluid intake were not properly monitored.
Also, she received no bath and only two showers in 28 days. After four weeks
spending in the hospital, she died from broncho-pneumonia. This is a sad but
"you-should-consider" story if your loved one is in a nursing home. <http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=28787649&u=261538>
To protect older persons who are incapable of
managing their personal and financial affairs, state laws provide for court
appointment of guardians. State and local courts are responsible for overseeing
them. However, the General Accountability Office (GAO) identified hundreds of
claims of physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation by guardians in 45
states and the District of Columbia between 1990 and 2010. GAO found that courts
failed to screen guardians adequately and did not communicate effectively or at
all with each other about abusive guardians. http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/2010/Finance_Neglect.pdf
The city of Napa, California signed onto an effort to require criminal background checks for those who care for older persons. Napa City Council members voted to draft an ordinance Tuesday, following a presentation on the issue by the Napa County Commission on Aging and officials of Napa County's district attorney's office. Under the proposed ordinance, anyone who receives any kind of compensation for caring for elders or dependent adults would have to apply for a permit. Although elder crimes are often unreported, awareness is growing as more people are seen as victims of abuse or neglect.
Employees with an existing criminal record frequently abuse older persons in nursing homes. The US Senate Special Committee on Aging held a mid-July hearing to discuss problems and solutions on this serious, disturbing issue. Opening the hearing, US Senator Herb Kohl mentions his proposal to screen nursing facilities' job applicants more carefully. Jennifer Coldren tells about how a convicted criminal raped her grandmother. Also contributing were: Beverley Laubert, president of the National Association of State Long Term Care; Daniel Fridman, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General; Gregory Demske, Assistant Inspector for Legal Affairs from the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services; Paul Greenwood, Deputy District Attorney Office of the District Attorney in San Diego, California; Robert Blancato, National Coordinator of The Elder Justice Coalition; and Daniel Reingold, president and CEO of The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale.
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/2006/finabuse.htm
www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/2006/bankabuse.htm
Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention it is the first shelter in New York State dedicated to elderly victims of mental, physical, financial or sexual abuse, and one of only a few such shelters across the country. An estimated 550,000 people of age 65 or older were abused in 1996 across the country, according to the first National Elder Abuse Incidence Study. The exact rates are unclear because many victims don't seek help and there is no mandatory reporting of elder abuse, as there is with spousal or child abuse. This has become a growing problem. Reported cases are likely a fraction of the actual incidence of abuse.
According to the study conducted by Dr. Scott R. Beach, University of Pittsburgh, about one in four patients said that they were subjected to potentially harmful behavior such as screaming, swearing, or using a harsh tone of voice. Especially, when a caregiver is the spouse, the likelihood that such potentially behavior would be exhibited is 8 times higher than when a caregiver is not married to the patient. Elder caregivers are also "the elderly" whose cognition, physical strength, and emotion decline. "Get help," Dr. Beach emphasizes. "Don't try to do it all by yourself, especially if you feel yourself getting sick or stressed."
The leader of an ongoing effort to establish a senior safe house for elder abuse victims in Sacramento won the statewide volunteer of the year award Friday.
Elder abuse shortens the life
of the elderly! According to Dr. Mark S. Lachs, the professor at Weill Cornell
Medical College and co-author Dr. Karl Pillemer, the professor of human
development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University in Ithaca,
between 2 and 10 percent of the elderly are physically or mentally abused. They
also figured out that mistreated seniors are three times more likely to die
within three years than those who are not abused. Elder abuse is often not
recognized, particularly those abused in the home. If only family members care
for the frail elderly, how can violence be detected? What measures can US
citizens take to protect against elder abuse?
Despite the fact that the Adult Protection Services in Virginia counties
received more than 1240 reports in 2003, state officials estimated that only 16%
of all adult abuse incidents are reported. The victims are often elderly women,
and the types of abuse are sexual assault, confinement, mental and physical
abuse and monetary exploitation by either professional caregivers or family
members. In order to protect seniors, the Virginia General Assembly passed a
bill that requires more professionals such as pharmacists, dentists, emergency
medical personnel, and medical examiners to report suspected incidents to county
or state officials.
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Oregon, having tripled since 1993 to about 1,500 cases a year. Grace Sweet fell victim to a seemingly trustworthy caregiver who swindled her out of her entire life’s savings before she died. Her story is tragically common, but a few simple precautions could help pensioners prevent elder abuse. www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/2004/targets.htm
In the Kaleni hills of Mwinilunga district, a North-Western province in Zambia, there is a mission where old women seek refuge. The camp provides the elderly women food and shelter, as these women have no one to ask for help. Why would these old ladies flee from their homes? Because they have been accused of being witches and driven away from as far as Angola.
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Page last updated Monday September 05, 2011 Questions? Comments? Contact Webmaster: |
Appuyez ici pour accéder aux ressources et au matériel disponible en français)
|
|
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse ~~Réseau canadien pour la prévention des mauvais traitements envers les aîné(e)s
About this Site: For copyright and other information, click here. Contact us, click here. Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
Page last updated Tuesday December 13, 2011. Questions? Comments? Contact Webmaster:
|
The
newest
items
are:
