In an aging society, protecting and caring for the elderly is crucial. To address elder abuse, a
Question:
In an aging society, protecting and caring for the elderly is crucial. To address elder abuse, a complicated issue that affects all socioeconomic groups, a diverse and coordinated approach is needed. This paper explores elder abuse, highlighting intervention programs like the Elder Abuse Forensic Center (EAFC) and Adult Protective Services (APS) and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)'s vital role in knowledge and resource dissemination. The paper also examines Jane, a concerned person trying to implement intervention programs while dealing with mandated reporting. The ethics of "stealth surveillance" are also examined, recognizing the hard balance between protecting vulnerable people and protecting their privacy. The importance of leading the intervention team is discussed last, showcasing elder care and abuse specialists' skills.
Elder Abuse Forensic Center (EAFC)
This program brings together legal, medical, social services, and law enforcement professionals to provide a coordinated response to cases of elder abuse. They offer comprehensive assessments, consultations, and interventions to stop the abuse and ensure the safety of the victim.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
APS is a social services program provided by state and/or local governments nationwide serving seniors and adults with disabilities who are in need of assistance. They intervene in cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, offering services ranging from initial investigation to social work intervention (Choi & Mayer, 2000).
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
The NCEA provides information to professionals working with elders on the signs of abuse and how to report it. They also provide resources for elder abuse prevention, and public education tools.
As for Jane's situation, some difficulties she may encounter due to mandatory reporting to Adult Protective Services while trying to implement intervention programs include:
Confidentiality issues. Jane may face challenges maintaining the confidentiality of the elderly and their family members while reporting abuse incidents.
Trust issues. Mandatory reporting might create a trust issue between Jane and the elderly or their family members, which could hinder the implementation of intervention programs.
Fear of retaliation. The elderly or their family members might fear retaliation after the abuse is reported, which could create resistance towards intervention programs.
Regarding the "stealth surveillance" process, whether it's appropriate and ethical largely depends on the specific circumstances and the laws in the jurisdiction where it's being used. It could potentially infringe on an individual's privacy rights, so it's crucial to balance the need to protect the elderly from abuse with respecting their privacy and autonomy.
The responsibility for leading the intervention team would typically fall to a professional with experience in elder care and abuse, such as a social worker or a geriatric care manager. They would have the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of elder abuse and the intervention process (British Geriatrics Society, 2023). They would also be able to coordinate with other professionals, like healthcare providers and law enforcement, to ensure a comprehensive approach to intervention.
Conclusion
The Elder Abuse Forensic Center, Adult Protective Services, and the National Center on Elder Abuse offer hope as we address elder abuse. Intervention to protect the elderly requires a delicate balance between confidentiality, trust-building, and revenge. Mandatory reporting helps uncover abuse cases, but it requires sensitivity and skill. "Stealth surveillance" complicates matters, forcing us to evaluate privacy protection against potential invasions (UN, 2012). In this multidimensional effort, experienced elder care and abuse specialists are crucial. These experts advise intervention measures and assure the complete well-being of our elders. A collaborative and compassionate approach is the only way to understand elder abuse and create a culture that protects its most vulnerable.
References
British Geriatrics Society . (2023, January 10). Protecting the rights of older people to health and social care. British Geriatrics Society. https://www.bgs.org.uk/policy-and-media/protecting-the-rights-of-older-people-to-health-and-social-care
Choi, N. G., & Mayer, J. (2000). Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(2), 5-25. https://doi.org/10.1300/j083v33n02_02
UN. (2012). THE PROTECTION OF THE ELDERLY MODEL LAW. https://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/documents/fourth/JohnHopkinsUnivModelLaw.pdf
I was able to identifying 3 intervention programs, challenges with potential abuse, and identifying ethical considerations. I lost points for improper APA style and missing the outcome requirement.
The assignment asked for me too:
- List three intervention programs you noted during your research that is available to the elderly population during this difficult situation?
- What are some difficulties that Jane may encounter due to the fact that it is mandatory she reports any abuse to Adult Protective Services and simultaneously she would like to implement intervention programs to help the elderly and their family members who are the abusers?
- Do you think the "stealth surveillance" process was appropriate and ethical?
- Who would be responsible for leading this intervention Team? And why?
- Your responses to the items below should be thorough, well-conceived college-level responses that are grammatically correct.
- Write answers in complete sentences.
- You must justify your responses with facts and details from the readings, and with your conclusions.