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Beware of Elderly Abuse (Part 3)

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
On the previous post we have discussed the different types of abuse, on this article we will discuss the signs and symptoms of abuses inflicted in the older member of our society. Some of the signs and symptoms will not be recognize immediately because it may appear to be symptoms of dementia or signs of the elderly person’s frailty or the abuser may explain them to you that way.
We have to keep an eye to our elderly and pay close attention to them. There are many signs and symptoms that overlap with symptoms of mental deterioration. You shouldn’t jump to conclusion but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss them.
General signs of abuse

• Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behavior in the elder
Physical Abuse
• Visible signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body
• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists
• Medical needs not attended to
• Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Unexplained breakage of eyeglasses or frames
• Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the elder alone
Emotional abuse
• Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness
• Withdrawal from people
• Behavior pattern from the elder that mimics dementia, lick sucking thumb, rocking, or mumbling to oneself
• Unexplained depression
• Sudden stop in doing their usual activities

Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect

• Sudden and unexplained weight loss
• Signs of malnutrition and dehydration
• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
• Poor hygiene
• Unsafe and unsanitary living conditions (no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring, soiled beddings and clothes)
• Intentional desertion of the elder at a public place

Tags: elder abuse, senior citizens
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Beware of Elderly Abuse (Part 2)

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Different Types of Elderly Abuse
The elder members of our society are prone to abuse of any kind. Because of their age, they become physically and sometimes mentally weak, and because of this there are conscienceless individual who take advantage of this weakness.

Abuse of elders can be of different forms. This may be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Some of these abuse involves intimidation or threats against the elderly, some involving neglect, and others involving financial deception.

Physical abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a person touches an elderly person in a hurtful way or a non-accidental use of force against a senior citizen that would result to physical pain, injury or impairment. This type of abuse includes not only hitting, pinching, kicking, punching, hair pulling, biting, and burning with cigarettes but also the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement.

Many of these types of physical abuse will go unnoticed by others because it is often assumed the elderly person has bumped his or herself and bruises easily. Family, friends and health care professionals should be observant for the possible indication of physical abuse no matter whom their caregiver is or where the elder stay.

Emotional abuse
This is also called psychological abuse. Psychological or emotional abuse occurs when a person causes mental or emotional pain, distress, suffering, or anguish to an elder. Emotional abuse can be inflicted consciously or unknowingly. Emotional abuse can be in verbal form which includes insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or harassing through words or actions. It could also be in non-verbal form like, giving silent treatment, or isolating him from family members, friends, or his regular activities.

Sexual abuse
(more…)

Tags: Abuse, Aging, Elderly, Health Care, senior citizens
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Beware of Elder Abuse (Part 1)

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Your elderly parents are not only vulnerable to sickness, but also to elder abuse. That is because, as elders become more physically weak, they are less able to defend their selves to bullying or fight back if they are attacked. As their senses weaken, it leaves them at risk to unscrupulous people that would take advantage of them.

Elder abuse are sometimes deliberate and sometimes because of ignorance. According to the statistics, more than 10,000 of elderly across the United States are being abused everyday in some substantial way, mostly by the people who directly responsible for their care. Every year, more than half a million report of abuse against elderly reached American authorities every year and millions of more cases go unreported.

Most of the elder abuse takes place where the senior live. If they are at home, abusers might be the adult children, other family members such as grandchildren or spouses or partners of the elders. Live-in caregivers may also be the abusers of the elderly. Institutional setting especially long-term facilities can also be sources of elder abuse.
There are cases that a bedridden elderly has bedsores and severely malnourished and dehydrated. This kind of abuse is called neglect. There are many forms elderly abuse; it could be a physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment by caregivers, financial exploitation and healthcare fraud and abuse.

If we have elderly parents or relative, we have to be watchful and pay attention to them. They might be a victim or would be a victim of elderly abuse. On next the next post we will discuss the different kind of elderly abuse and its signs and symptoms.

- Home Care from Professional Health Care Services, Inc. (PHCSI)

Tags: Aging, elder abuse, Health Care, senior citizens
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Rheumatism On Elderly

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

While you may feel fit and healthy today you never know what health problems or disabilities will affect you in the future. Early planning for Long-term care can help prevent anxiety for you and love ones.

The down side of increased longevity is increased risk of certain diseases and disorders. As significant number of older people suffer from rheumatism. In medical term rheumatism refers to the stiffness in joint or muscles, a painful condition of the joints or muscle in which infection, injury and aging are contributing factors. It is commonly called arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumatism

Pain is the symptom of a rheumatic disease that most commonly causes a person to seek medical attention. Other common symptoms include joint swelling, limited movement, stiffness, weakness and fatigue.

Many older people expect and accept the immobility and self-care problems related to rheumatism and do not seek help, thinking that nothing can be done. Careful diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve the quality of life for older people.

Goals and Strategies for Rheumatism/Rheumatic disease

Major Goals

1. Suppress inflammation and autoimmune response

2. Control pain

3. Maintain or improve joint mobility

4. Increase patient’s knowledge of disease process

5. Promote self-management by patient compatible with the therapeutic regimen

Management Strategies

1. Take anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying agents

2. Protect joints; ease pain with splints, thermal modalities, relaxation technique

3. Implement exercise programs for joint motion and muscle strengthening

4. Provide and reinforce teaching

5. Emphasize compatibility of therapeutic regimen and lifestyle.

Seniors who have developed good health and lifestyle habits should fair significantly better than those with a more sedentary lifestyle. Good nutrition and exercise are the cornerstones of the lifestyle changes that will make the extra years more enjoyable.

Tags: Elderly, Rheumatism
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Tips in Avoiding Forgetfulness

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Being an elderly is not an excuse in becoming forgetful. Remember that aging doesn’t have to be equated with forgetfulness. As individuals reach their 70’s, it may take the brain longer to retrieve stored bits of information from part of the long-term memory. But when they’re not rushed, older people can remember as a well as anyone.

Here are ways to avoid the slowdown of memory, thus avoiding forgetfulness:

Exercise: Regular exercise can enhance the memory by improving blood flow. When the brain cell receives enough oxygen blood flow, with its oxygen and nutrients, a person is less likely to experience memory or concentration problem. Studies show that aerobic exercise improves mental capabilities. Some studies find memories are stored better after exercise.
Develop stimulating interest: Learning new things or seeking out new experiences may be able to protect you from Alzheimer’s disease, but they will sharpen a healthy mind. People who are intensely involved in life retain their intellectual capabilities better than that mental couch potato. Your mental capabilities will decrease rapidly with age if your favorite pastime is sitting and doing nothing. A person who stops solving problems will reach the point where they can’t solve problems.
Be Flexible: The mental functions of rigid people decline earlier in life. Don’t settle into a rut in your old age. Flexibility in midlife is a good indicator of reduced risk of mental decline later in life.
Have a positive outlook: When you engage life in relaxed attitude, doors open for you. You will be aided by an inner strength and be able to remain calm in difficult situations. Relaxing also helps the recall of memories
Be organized: Setting up daily routines lightens the load on your memory and free it for more important tasks. For example, always put a key in the same place in your bag. The more orderly you are about life, the better you will be able to recall.

- Professional Health Care Services, Inc. (PHCSI)

Tags: Aging, Forgetfullness
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