Domestic violence of the elderly - Research Paper Example

WHO estimates that more than one to two million elderly Americans has faced diverse forms of abuses from their entrusted caregivers. Thus, the government requires health care providers to report any suspected domestic violence or abuse cases. Reporting on violence cases is one way of helping elderly and weak people in the society; thus holding the perpetrators of violence accountable. Elderly abuse takes varied forms such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, discriminatory, financial abuse and many others.

Physical abuse is one of the forms of domestic violence inflicted to elderly people in the society. This type of abuse refers to the physical force that leads to bodily injuries and pain such as battering or improper restraint. The perpetrators may include daughters, sons or grandchildren, but it can sometimes be caused by the spouse or intimate people seeking power and control. Some of the perpetuators may be alcoholic or may be abuser of illegal substances and others are the caregivers. Victims of physical are at risk because some of them may suffer from trauma, injuries or bruises (Wilson (2009, p. 37). There are indicators that reveal that one is suffering from domestic violence and this may be either physical or behavioral indicators.

The physical indicators may include burns from hot water, broken bones, fractures, arms or legs abrasions, which are similar to strap marks, traumatic hair and loss of tooth. The behavioral indicator of domestic violence many include different explanations provided by family members on the way an older person sustained injuries, implausible explanations or unexplained or unclear explanations on the way one sustained injuries, suspicious hospitalizations, delay in medical care provision and many others.

Psychological abuse and sexual abuse are also other forms of abuse that have been common in the contemporary society. Psychological abuse involves the intentional infliction or causing physical harm to an elderly person. The psychological abuse ranges from verbal insults to torture cases, threats of physical harm to isolation issues. However, sexual abuse involves rape cases or forcing any other sexual activities with an older person without his or her consent. Fabian (2010) reveals that people with physical and cognitive disabilities are at high risk of sexual abuse.

The behavioral indicators for both psychological and sexual abuses include frustrations, anger, exhibits emotional distress and encountering difficulties in sleeping or nightmares. The physical indicators may include dementia and chronic diseases despite provision of proper care plan. Financial abuse, neglect and discriminatory abuses are forms of elderly abuse, which are rampart across the globe. Negligence and discrimination of elderly people is common in the current society. Others are not offered enough financial support; thus unable to meet their basic needs.

The caregivers withhold the care or required necessities to older people; thus making them to suffer emotionally. Neglect abuse is similar to discrimination because this is when the caregiver willingly denies the elderly person the necessities such as food and other significant things. The research indicates that the elderly people