Discussions

Elder abuse is among the easiest maltreatments to occur simply because our older citizens have the fewest avenues of recourse in dealing with it. In, I am going to say, most cases there are no spokesmen for the abused …lack of family, lack of concern by what family there is, lack of knowledge or belief of incidents. Elder abuse can be financial, physical and also psychological: the physical is usually easier to spot simply by being more visible (over- medication may not be seen as abuse though it is used as a method of control), the other not so easily seen unless carefully monitored. This abuse can take place in ones own home or in an institutional environment, in deed those we have the most trust and confidence in can be the worst offenders. Child abuse, elder abuse should be and is abhorrent to most sane thinking people, children are most readily thought of because they are young, cute and oh so vulnerable, please think of our seniors, a lifetime of toil and trouble and joy have left their mark, they too can be at a time of vulnerability . They don’t need or want our pity: they do deserve to be treated with respect and common courtesy. June 14, not just one day every day.