The World Health Organization (2014) defines elder abuse as one or multiple acts, or lack of action, that violates established trust in a relationship and causes harm or distress to an older person; this includes abuse such as psychological, physical, sexual, emotional, financial/material, abandonment, and neglect. Estimates say that more than 5 million older Americans have been abused (Rosen, 2014); others report that 1 in 10 older persons are abused each year in the United States, yet only 1 in 14 cases are reported (Dong, Simon, Rajan, & Evans, 2011; Rosen, 2014). Incidence of abuse of older persons with dementia or cognitive impairments range from numbers around 5 percent up to approximately 60 percent, depending on the type of abuse (Dong,
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Elder abuse occurrence is expected to rise since the population of people over 60 is increasing, which means the number of older people with cognitive impairments is increasing, too. It is estimated that by 2050 the number of people over 65 with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States is expected to go from 5 million to somewhere around 16 million (Rosen, 2014). Just one point less in cognitive functioning raises one’s risk for abuse, and the more cognitively impaired a person is the higher the risk. Elder abuse is linked to higher morbidity and mortality rates, and cases resulting in higher mortality rates are more prevalent in people with lower cognitive function (Dong et al., 2014; Dong et al, 2011; Rosen, 2014). Abuse can also exacerbate cognitive impairment (Rosen, 2014). Elder abuse is prevalent in both long-term care settings and community …show more content…
Risk factor assessments can be used to screen caregivers as potential abusers, but these assessments can be difficult to apply to patients with dementia and cognitive impairment (World Health Organization, 2014). Support for caregivers provides an outlet for frustration or anxiety that might occur as a result of the caregiver role. Support can also provide better education for caregivers. The biggest barrier is that caregiver support is not mandatory, so it is not always utilized by caregivers who need it (WHO,
Elder abuse occurrence is expected to rise since the population of people over 60 is increasing, which means the number of older people with cognitive impairments is increasing, too. It is estimated that by 2050 the number of people over 65 with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States is expected to go from 5 million to somewhere around 16 million (Rosen, 2014). Just one point less in cognitive functioning raises one’s risk for abuse, and the more cognitively impaired a person is the higher the risk. Elder abuse is linked to higher morbidity and mortality rates, and cases resulting in higher mortality rates are more prevalent in people with lower cognitive function (Dong et al., 2014; Dong et al, 2011; Rosen, 2014). Abuse can also exacerbate cognitive impairment (Rosen, 2014). Elder abuse is prevalent in both long-term care settings and community …show more content…
Risk factor assessments can be used to screen caregivers as potential abusers, but these assessments can be difficult to apply to patients with dementia and cognitive impairment (World Health Organization, 2014). Support for caregivers provides an outlet for frustration or anxiety that might occur as a result of the caregiver role. Support can also provide better education for caregivers. The biggest barrier is that caregiver support is not mandatory, so it is not always utilized by caregivers who need it (WHO,