Aging Ageism And Abuse

As an "ism," ageism reflects a prejudice in society against older adults. Ageist attitudes are perpetuated in many ways: for example, by the lack of positive images of the elderly in advertisements and on TV programs, as well as the widespread use of demeaning language about old age. The intentional mistreatment of, or harm to, elderly persons is classified as elder abuse. An abuser can be anyone that an older person comes in contact with, such as a caregiver, a neighbor, or others who has a negative attitude towards the elderly. But, mostly, elderly people are abused by family members and relatives. Abuse can be verbal, psychological, emotional, financial, and physical. Due to the fear of victimization, elderly people isolate themselves, and thereby become "a prisoner in their own home." This collection contains 26 papers that highlight the various issues relating to ageism and elder abuse in developed and developing countries. The book will be a valuable source material to psychologists, sociologists, social workers, and gerontologists in planning the strategies to combat ageism and elder abuse in society at large.

Population aging is occurring worldwide. Reports of abuse and neglect of older men and women are also evident on a global basis. While much of the work on identification, treatment and prevention of abuse of older persons has been within the family setting, it cannot be separated from the broader experience of growing old in contemporary society. Time and time again, issues around legislation, policy and practice collide with human rights, societal attitudes and stereotypes. Raising awareness of the link among aging, ageism and abuse, is one goal of this book and a necessary first step in the battle to eliminate abuse and neglect of older persons. But awareness is not enough, action needs to be taken to develop, case finding procedures and remedial and preventive policies and programs that are elder-friendly both in intent and in the way that they are implemented. This book offers a thought-provoking examination of selected current policies and programs that have been developed within the health, social services and criminal justice systems. It highlights the special issues and vulnerabilities of older women, older men and persons from the LGTB community. It also features a unique approach to reaching young people through an educational program that shapes attitudes and behavior via graphic art. Clear, straightforward writing style - reader does not have to contend with murky theories and obscure references Practical approach – readers can relate to the examples that are provided of situations in which abuse and neglect has or can occur

Population aging is occurring worldwide. Reports of abuse and neglect of older men and women are also evident on a global basis. While much of the work on identification, treatment and prevention of abuse of older persons has been within the family setting, it cannot be separated from the broader experience of growing old in contemporary society. Time and time again, issues around legislation, policy and practice collide with human rights, societal attitudes and stereotypes. Raising awareness of the linkamong aging, ageism and abuse, is one goal of this book and a necessary first step in the battle to eliminate abuse and neglect of older persons. But awareness is not enough, action needs to be taken to develop, case finding procedures and remedial and preventive policies and programs that are elder-friendly both in intent and in the way that they are implemented. This book offers a thought-provoking examination of selected current policies and programs that have been developed within the health, social services and criminal justice systems. It highlights the special issues and vulnerabilities of older women, older men and persons from the LGTB community. It also features a unique approach to reaching young people through an educational program that shapes attitudes and behavior via graphic art. * Clear, straightforward writing style - reader does not have to contend with murky theories and obscure references * Practical approach readers can relate to the examples that are provided of situations in which abuse and neglect has or can occur"

This book promotes an understanding of ageism, discrimination and mistreatment of older adult workers, incorporating an international human rights perspective. The impact of ageism on the mistreatment of older adult workers has not to date been examined in depth through the lens of international human rights instruments, nor has discrimination against older adults in the workplace been framed as a form of elder abuse for research and policy making purposes. This book presents a multi-disciplinary exploration of these themes as they affect work and retirement of older adults. It reflects the view that older people who choose to work into old age should be able to do so in enabling work environments that promote dignity and are free of abuse. The contributing authors come from many disciplines, including law, psychology, social work, business, and international affairs. Many are members of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations, and have devoted their professional careers to increase awareness and understanding of elder abuse in order to prevent it. The editors hope that broadening the framework within which elder abuse in the workplace is understood will stimulate further research, policy and program development to address this troubling social problem.

Current findings on the origins and effects of ageism, as well as ways to reduce it.

Learn the causes of—and consequences from—elder abuse of men For the most part, often only women are considered the victims of elder abuse. However, men are also subject to this disturbing social problem. Abuse of Older Men examines the diverse aspects of this surprisingly widespread issue that includes sexual abuse, abuse by intimates, and benign neglect in the health care field, as well as effective treatment strategies. This unique resource provides the latest research and crucial discussions of why the problem is often invisible, under-studied, and under-treated. Detailed explorations include risk assessment, differential detection of abuse of one gender over the other, the risk of abandonment, economic exploitation, and the issues of older men who had been abused in childhood. In the past, elder abuse literature has—quite correctly—mainly focused on the abuse of women, who represent the majority of older persons. Abuse of Older Men expands the discussion of this distressing social challenge to include the other gender, reviewing the different types of abuse and the reasons why it is not readily apparent in today’s society. This compelling text examines in detail the causes and consequences of elder abuse of men. The under-reporting of abuse is addressed, along with suggestions on ways to better approach various problems. This insightful resource is extensively referenced and provides tables to clearly present data. Issues discussed in Abuse of Older Men include: intimate partner abuse perpetrated against older men sexual abuse of older men in nursing homes the impact of gender on the reporting of elder abuse neglectful aspects of osteoporosis in older men past relationships that increase the risk of the neglect of older fathers news accounts that repost the frequency and types of abuse against men identifying and treating victims societal forces that affect older men’s risk of mistreatment recommendations for structuring services to better meet victim’s needs the social construction of manhood as an important factor in understanding the abuse of older men Abuse of Older Men provides crucial information practitioners, educators, researchers, and students in social work, nursing, medicine, law, gerontology, adult protective services, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, domestic violence, counseling, ethics, public policy, and aging networks.

Age Concern always seeks to be at the forefront in raising issues of importance as part of our continuing fight to improve the quality of life of older people. To this end we are privi leged in being able to draw on the skills of people with the commitment, expertise and enthusiasm to press for much needed change. When, some years ago, we published a book by Mervyn Eastman on old age abuse, the subject was largely unrecognized. He played a pioneering role in drawing atten tion to this difficult and sensitive topic, classifying the various types of abuse, analysing their causes, their tragic effects and the different contexts in which they were likely to occur. Earlier, when I joined Age Concern, I had been struck by the paucity of knowledge of old age abuse. My previous work with children and young people provided me with stark reminders of how much more developed both policy and prac tice were in dealing with the abuse of children. Even in that field there was still much to learn, and subsequent legislation, policy guidelines and codes of practice have taken us further down the road by constructing clear lines of accountability and by protecting and representing children at risk, by helping potential abusers and developing practice that avoids punish ing victims through removing them from their homes.

This book provides an insight into advances in elder abuse in the areas of research, policy, practice and legislation. It provides readers with a broad understanding of the topic and considers the progress in elder abuse knowledge. The book explores the nexus of ageism and elder abuse, describes key social policies and their legislative manifestation, covers major policies and programs related to elder abuse, defines elder sexual abuse and much more. It offers the reader a comprehensive insight into new perspectives and approaches to both understanding and responding to elder abuse. As such it will be an asset to academics, students, healthcare practitioners, policy makers and the general public.