Sunday, November 22, 2009
Blog #4: Wild Card (Elderly Abuse)
As we age our abilities tend to decline; and because of this we look to others for help. This help can be from formal caregivers like family and friends or informal caregivers like home nurses. With this dependency on others, elders are more than ever vulnerable to abuse by their caregivers. Elderly abuse not only consists of physical abuse but can be mental and emotional as well. The most frequent forms of abuse are self-neglect, caregiver neglect and emotional/psychological abuse. Furthermore different factors can contribute to the abuse of an elder. For instance those with mental illness or substance abuse problems are at a higher risk of being an abuser. In addition abuse can also occur because of long-standing personality problems of the caregiver and a history of using abusive methods to solve problems.
It is important to realize that as more family and friends assume the role of caregiver due to the inability to pay for LTC, stress levels will increase and more will placed on their plates. Although ethnic elders are more likely to be cared for at home because of stronger intergenerational family networks and different cultural values that doesn’t meant that they are not victims of abuse. Experts say that 500,000 elders have been abused, while others say it could range from 1 million to 5 million; this includes those who are receiving care at home. The question remains why are these estimated numbers so high?
Some speculate that the abused might not come forth because of shame, fear, or loyalty. Either way it is important that caregivers realize what they are taking on, and if they can’t take on the task of caring for someone else then there are other alternatives. Prevention of abuse programs do exist and assist caregivers in dealing with the stresses of caring for a dependent adult and to teach anger management and other skills. There are similar programs that focus on professionals who fail to identify signs of abuse. Now some may ask how a professional can overlook telltale signs of abuse. Well many signs of abuse can actually be mistaken as aging or chronic condition such as bruises and recurrent fractures. The only way to reduce the number of abused elders and solve this problem is to educate caregivers on managing their schedule and stress and to develop guidelines as to how to treat elders. Abuse is something that elders should never have to experience and it is our jobs to stop it.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Blog #3
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Wild Card (An Alternative: Community-Based Services)
When we think of the elderly services we tend to think of services that deal with long term care like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. But as the elderly population continues to increase, the demand for these facilities will undoubtedly increase and thus raise the cost of care. Point being there are alternatives to the traditions facilities that care for the elderly. Services that are becoming ever so popular are community-based services, which are services that provide care in a noninstitutional setting. In other words, the services are provided in the consumer’s home and other locations within the community. These services include home health care, hospice care, and adult day care.
As the baby boomers “become of age” the demand for nursing homes and other facilities alike will increase. However the question remains, does it have to? Although most elders are in need of nursing homes and assisted living facilities staffed with nurse practitioners and other certified nurses; a good number are not in need of such extensive care. A great cost-effective alternative to these facilities are community based services which provide care for a few hours a day, to a few days a week; assisting with a few ADLs as well as the monitoring of medication. To elaborate further home health care tends to be utilized by people who need intermittent care rather than full time care, like the chronically ill. Hospice care provides services to meet the needs of the patients who have a limited life span. This form of care is not limited to the just the patient but can be utilized by the family and friends as well. It meets the psychosocial and spiritual needs of everyone involved. The last alternative is adult day care; which is a unique form of long term care. It provides interim supervision and assistance to elderly individuals who cannot be left alone. Typical hours of such a service are from 8 AM to 5 PM; similar to the working hours of the “sandwich generation” who have to work to support the family financial.
By making informal caregivers aware of such services it stops the need for early institutionalization and preserves the elders’ sense of independence. However, it is important to realize that such facilities are not always the best place for your loved ones. For instance Medicare doesn’t cover all community- based services because some facilities like the adult day cares aren’t equipped to handle the medical side of the service. So it goes without saying that caregivers need to be educated to ensure that the loved one is receiving best possible care. That means they should take into consideration the cost, the services provided, and the social aspects provided by the service.
Wild Card (An Alternative: Community-Based Services)
When we think of the elderly services we tend to think of services that deal with long term care like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. But as the elderly population continues to increase, the demand for these facilities will undoubtedly increase and thus raise the cost of care. Point being there are alternatives to the traditions facilities that care for the elderly. Services that are becoming ever so popular are community-based services, which are services that provide care in a noninstitutional setting. In other words, the services are provided in the consumer’s home and other locations within the community. These services include home health care, hospice care, and adult day care.
As the baby boomers “become of age” the demand for nursing homes and other facilities alike will increase. However the question remains, does it have to? Although most elders are in need of nursing homes and assisted living facilities staffed with nurse practitioners and other certified nurses; a good number are not in need of such extensive care. A great cost-effective alternative to these facilities are community based services which provide care for a few hours a day, to a few days a week; assisting with a few ADLs as well as the monitoring of medication. To elaborate further home health care tends to be utilized by people who need intermittent care rather than full time care, like the chronically ill. Hospice care provides services to meet the needs of the patients who have a limited life span. This form of care is not limited to the just the patient but can be utilized by the family and friends as well. It meets the psychosocial and spiritual needs of everyone involved. The last alternative is adult day care; which is a unique form of long term care. It provides interim supervision and assistance to elderly individuals who cannot be left alone. Typical hours of such a service are from 8 AM to 5 PM; similar to the working hours of the “sandwich generation” who have to work to support the family financial.
By making informal caregivers aware of such services it stops the need for early institutionalization and preserves the elders’ sense of independence. However, it is important to realize that such facilities are not always the best place for your loved ones. For instance Medicare doesn’t cover all community- based services because some facilities like the adult day cares aren’t equipped to handle the medical side of the service. So it goes without saying that caregivers need to be educated to ensure that the loved one is receiving best possible care. That means they should take into consideration the cost, the services provided, and the social aspects provided by the service.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Elder Drivers
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Elder Drivers
Driving is a serious task requiring coordination, good reaction time and a great sense of responsibility. Although senior citizens were at one point capable of all these skills; as times as progressed they have lost ability to do so. Because of diseases such as glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts the elderly people’s ability to drive have diminished through each passing year. So it goes without saying that Florida should adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65.
As findings have shown motor vehicles are the leading cause of accidental death among elder aged 65 to 74 and the leading cause for those over 75 years. Having senior citizens on the road incapable of driving causes more unneeded dangers to the road putting themselves as well as others risk. To some degree it is equivalent to having intoxicated drivers on the road. Impairments typically found within the older population are visual, hearing, and mobile which are without a doubt vital skills needed to drive. Chronic conditions like diabetes, and Parkinson’s which causes tremors and slowness in movement can limit mobility. In addition presbycusis, a hearing impairment associated with age can cause older individuals to disregard signals such as honking and emergency sirens.
In addition medical side-effects as a result of combining different medications to treat age associated conditions can cause one to become drowsy and unconsciously lose control of the vehicle. This accompanied with the inability of most to read road markings and signs due to presbyopia and macular degeneration all but strength by decision to test drivers over the age of 65. Additionally the inabilities of the elderly can also be mental as well as. Dementia a serious cognitive disorder affecting memory, attention, and problem solving can alter the perception, mental capacity and leave one unaware of his or her surrounds while driving.
So as you can see there are many conditions and diseases that can limit the older populations’ ability to drive like they once use to. However it is important to keep in mind that not all individuals 65 and older are incapable of driving. These findings can only be applied to a select few. Furthermore testing senior citizens is something that should be done but requiring senior citizens to comply with these test and regulations that threaten their independence which many have strived to achieve is hard to do and we must take their feelings into consideration.
Elder Drivers
Driving is a serious task requiring coordination, good reaction time and a great sense of responsibility. Although senior citizens were at one point capable of all these skills; as times as progressed they have lost ability to do so. Because of diseases such as glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts the elderly people’s ability to drive have diminished through each passing year. So it goes without saying that Florida should adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65.
As findings have shown motor vehicles are the leading cause of accidental death among elder aged 65 to 74 and the leading cause for those over 75 years. Having senior citizens on the road incapable of driving causes more unneeded dangers to the road putting themselves as well as others risk. To some degree it is equivalent to having intoxicated drivers on the road. Impairments typically found within the older population are visual, hearing, and mobile which are without a doubt vital skills needed to drive. Chronic conditions like diabetes, and Parkinson’s which causes tremors and slowness in movement can limit mobility. In addition presbycusis, a hearing impairment associated with age can cause older individuals to disregard signals such as honking and emergency sirens.
In addition medical side-effects as a result of combining different medications to treat age associated conditions can cause one to become drowsy and unconsciously lose control of the vehicle. This accompanied with the inability of most to read road markings and signs due to presbyopia and macular degeneration all but strength by decision to test drivers over the age of 65. Additionally the inabilities of the elderly can also be mental as well as. Dementia a serious cognitive disorder affecting memory, attention, and problem solving can alter the perception, mental capacity and leave one unaware of his or her surrounds while driving.
So as you can see there are many conditions and diseases that can limit the older populations’ ability to drive like they once use to. However it is important to keep in mind that not all individuals 65 and older are incapable of driving. These findings can only be applied to a select few. Furthermore testing senior citizens is something that should be done but requiring senior citizens to comply with these test and regulations that threaten their independence which many have strived to achieve is hard to do and we must take their feelings into consideration.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Aging Stereotypes
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Aging Stereotypes
Stereotypes can be applied to every demographic background; including the elderly. Some common stereotypes associated with the elderly are that they are not sexually active, they are crazy, demented individuals, have an unpleasant odor, and are slow drivers. In addition they walk around with walkers, wear orthopedic shoes, and watch the Price is Right. Furthermore the elderly are always depicted playing bingo or on shuffle boards wearing sunglasses with large shields.
Although some of this stereotypes do have a merit that are not entirely true; as goes the case with all stereotypes. I know many senior citizens who actually drive faster than teenagers. In fact they are much more reckless than their younger counterparts. As far as being sexually active I would assume that they are not as this is an activity that requires a lot of energy and excitement leaving ones health into question. Walkers and orthopedic shoes are what I would consider justifiable assumptions when it comes to the elderly. Walkers, canes and orthopedic shoes are common amongst the elderly due to poor circulation, impaired balance, lack of strength, and neuromas; a growth of nervous tissue.
A common accessory that I’ve noticed is the dark sunglasses with over-sized shields. These are quite popular among the older population as many of them face vision impairments like sensitivity to light and cataracts; the clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye. The most reoccurring stereotypes associated with the elderly would have to be that they have an unpleasant odor to them and they are angry, senile individuals. Although I have had some encounters with senior citizens who were less than cordial; for the most part I enjoyed my time with them. They were very talkative and shared past experiences with great detail which many feel that they are incapable of doing. In addition with the time spent them not once did I very get an unpleasant smell that everyone seems to get a whiff off. Whether it is a pain relieving cream or rectal discharge do to the inability to "hold it in" I have yet to experience such a smell.
So as you can see they are quite a few stereotypes many of which that I haven’t even mentioned. And although they may start off with some merit most can only be applied to a small percentage of individuals. So if the question asked is there any truth to these stereotypes. I would say to a certain degree yes there is.
Aging Stereotypes
Stereotypes can be applied to every demographic background; including the elderly. Some common stereotypes associated with the elderly are that they are not sexually active, they are crazy, demented individuals, have an unpleasant odor, and are slow drivers. In addition they walk around with walkers, wear orthopedic shoes, and watch the Price is Right. Furthermore the elderly are always depicted playing bingo or on shuffle boards wearing sunglasses with large shields.
Although some of this stereotypes do have a merit that are not entirely true; as goes the case with all stereotypes. I know many senior citizens who actually drive faster than teenagers. In fact they are much more reckless than their younger counterparts. As far as being sexually active I would assume that they are not as this is an activity that requires a lot of energy and excitement leaving ones health into question. Walkers and orthopedic shoes are what I would consider justifiable assumptions when it comes to the elderly. Walkers, canes and orthopedic shoes are common amongst the elderly due to poor circulation, impaired balance, lack of strength, and neuromas; a growth of nervous tissue.
A common accessory that I’ve noticed is the dark sunglasses with over-sized shields. These are quite popular among the older population as many of them face vision impairments like sensitivity to light and cataracts; the clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye. The most reoccurring stereotypes associated with the elderly would have to be that they have an unpleasant odor to them and they are angry, senile individuals. Although I have had some encounters with senior citizens who were less than cordial; for the most part I enjoyed my time with them. They were very talkative and shared past experiences with great detail which many feel that they are incapable of doing. In addition with the time spent them not once did I very get an unpleasant smell that everyone seems to get a whiff off. Whether it is a pain relieving cream or rectal discharge do to the inability to "hold it in" I have yet to experience such a smell.
So as you can see they are quite a few stereotypes many of which that I haven’t even mentioned. And although they may start off with some merit most can only be applied to a small percentage of individuals. So if the question asked is there any truth to these stereotypes. I would say to a certain degree yes there is.
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