Friday, December 8, 2006

Elder Abuse



Did anyone watch Primetime the other night on ABC ?
They had this thing where they would have someone talk really loud on the phone in a restaurant to see how people would react, or have children be realllly annoying.
One scenario involved a 90 year old man in a wheeelchair with his caregiver (one in scrubs and then one in regular clothes, like a family member) in the park. Then they had the caregiver abuse the old man physically and verbally when someone walked by (he would smack his hands when someone looked away or push the old man in the wheelchair).
Holy crap. It made me really sad. Even though it was fake, I still felt so bad for the old man because you know this type of thing happens all of the time. It made me want to go out and be a gerontologic nurse, haha.
They said out of 100 people, 75 people walked by and only 15 people actually did something, either telling the man to stop or calling 911. Isn't that horrible? I know people can say, "oh yeah, I would do something," but when you get in the situation, it's difficult because for one--the caregiver was a man, so if you're a woman, you might be intimidated. Also, people do not like to get involved with conflict. However, I honestly think I would have done SOMETHING. I mean, GOSH!! It was horrible!!!
As far as the cell phone thing, I probably wouldn't have done anything, except sit there and be annoyed, but for this, I can honestly say something would have been done on my part.

From abc.com: What do the experts say?


The experts agree: Do something. Anything.

"If you're uncomfortable, call police officers or get involved," Gelles says. "Go up to the person on the receiving end of the abuse and say, 'I'm uncomfortable with how you're being treated. … Can I help you?'


If the victim responds, Gelles adds, follow his lead. If he's not capable of responding, turn to the caregiver. Tell the caregiver you're really uncomfortable with his or her behavior and ask for the name of the caregiver's employer.

The caregiver may not recognize that his or her behavior is abusive, Keating says. She suggests approaching the recipient of the abuse first.

"Smile and try to defuse the situation, or direct conversation toward the elderly person. Make the elderly person. … A person," she says.

"If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem," Gelles says. "If you walk away from social injustice, you become part of the social injustice."

4 comments:

Jo said...

Came here via Change of Shift.
The world needs more good nurses,
Good luck in school!

Jo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim said...

One call to 911 and situation is dealt with - and I'd stay withing viewing distance until they showed up. If necessary, I'd walk up to the elderly person, just like they said.

The elderly abuse would be one I would have no trouble intervening in...now wild kids or overly loud talking are inconveniences or just rude. Abuse is a different story.

L.A.Borguss said...

That would be horrifying to see and I myself would get involved.
I have no problem with talking to a care-giver and mentioning the fact that they are commiting a crime against that elderly person!

There is absolutely NO REASON what-so-ever to abuse an elderly person in any way, shape or form!

Assult and Battery to any human being is a serious crime, and I believe that if you turn your back and walk away, you are agreeing with the crime and you are just as guilty of being part of that crime.

Our elderly are our treasures and should be treated and guarded with respect and dignity.

I could not imagine just walking by this scenario and not wanting to make it stop! Call the police and the DCF - Elder Abuse department. (Department of Children and Families).

For those of you who would or did walk away from the tragic event of witnessing an elderly person being abused or victimized, shame on you! Just imagine for one split second that the elderly person was you, and you were helplessly watching the only person that could have saved you from your abuser walk away, would you not feel as if they had betrayed you as well???

Everyone, sooner if not later, will be a victim of some kind of crime and pray to God that someone will call out for help for you, because you may not be able to do so for yourself and that person that witnessed your crime may be your only hope!!!

"Keep Seeking Justice for ALL of Humanity"!