The Elderly: Abuse, Neglect, and Stereotyping By Natalie Jagelski.

The Elderly: Abuse, Neglect, and Stereotyping

By Natalie Jagelski

Why the elderly?

I have wonderful grandparents who I love and see often

I could not believe that anybody would abuse an elder

I was interested in learning how to help stop elderly abuse and neglect

ThesisThe elderly are forced to endure false stereotypes, depressing neglect, and terrible abuse when, really, there are many successful and talented elders all over the world.

Stereotypes

Neglect

Abuse

Success

Stereotypes

Three main ones:

- Greedy

- Unattractive

- Senile

Also sickly, cranky, and childlike

“Elders are lumped together under the heading of ‘old’ and attributed a demeaning set of characteristics: senile, sickly, unattractive, greedy, cranky, and childlike” (Walker 2).

Stereotypes IIStereotypes made because:

People are afraid of aging

People do not visit elderly family members as often

People do not have a good understanding about the elderly

Is the picture of a young lady or an old woman?

Stereotype: Senile

“If a thirteen year old loses his glasses, he is seen as irresponsible, and a forty year old is perceived as being very busy. But when a seventy year old loses his glasses, others think he is senile” (Jaksic 1).

“I do not think the quote is true. Older people have years of information crowding their minds” (Freedman).

It has been noted that if elders pause and focus on where they left something, they can usually find it.

Anti-aging Ads

Say people should buy products to look younger

Ads show that wrinkles are ugly

Elders would be much more respected if they were not seen as lesser people because of their looks

The Elderly in Media

Elderly not used very often in advertising or regular television

When they do appear in media it is often in stereotypical manner

Usually excluded all together

Neglect

Includes: ignoring an elder, isolating an elder from family and friends, terrorizing or menacing an elder

Mainly happens because respect towards elders has decreased over this past generation

Neglect II

Elder neglect due to a failure to fulfill a caretakers obligation constitutes more then half of all reported cases of elderly abuse.

Neglect can lead to feelings of detachment and depression.

Warning Signs

Older adult wearing soiled clothing

Dirty

Looks malnourished

Untreated physical issues

Wearing inappropriate clothing for weather

Prevent Elder Neglect

Make sure older person is taking care of their health

Help senior stay active in community and connected with family and friends

Stay in touch, call or visit as often as possible

Verbal Abuse

Intimidating and elder by yelling or threats, humiliating an elder, blaming an elder for something they did not do

Very harmful and hurtful

Mental Abuse

People speak to or treat elderly persons in ways that cause emotional pain or distress

Can cause an elder to become distant from family and friends

Physical Abuse

Non-accidental use of force against an elder person that results in physical pain, injury, and impairment

Includes hitting, shoving, inappropriate drug use, restraints, etc.

Financial Abuse

Sending the same bill more then once

Charging an elder too much for a bill

Not returning change to an elder after a purchase

Warning signs: unusual patterns of spending from elders account, frequent purchases of inappropriate items, bills going unpaid, utilities being turned off, etc.

Older people are the first to get laid off

Elder Abuse

Grandchildren, spouses, caretakers, friends, neighbors, and service providers are abusers

90% of abusers are family members

Of this 90%, 50% are adults and children, 20% are intimate partners

More then ½ of older victims are over 80

2/3 of victims are women

60% of victims show signs of dementia or confusion

40% of victims show signs of depression

Famous and Successful Elders

Bill Clinton: stated the William J. Clinton Foundation with a mission to alleviate poverty, improve global health, strengthen the economy, and protect the environment.

Harrison Ford became the highest paid actor in 2009 at age 65.

Clint Eastwood at age 82 is a successful actor and director.

There are also many, many more successful and famous elders.

Athletes

Johnny Kelley finished his 60th Boston Marathon when he was 83

Ivor Welch ran five marathons between 83 and 88, at 90 he ran 2 half marathons

Community ServiceFor my community service I served 6 hours for a 79 year old lady who was going to have guests from out of town over

I: cleaned her upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, cleaned all of the mirrors in her house, cleaned her guest bedroom, polished her silver, and played some games with her.

InterviewThe most interesting part about my interview was her thoughts on elderly stereotyping.

Infirm, inactive, have dementia

I did my interview over e-mail and, though I didn’t actually get to hear her voice, the interview meant a lot to me.

It was very interesting to learn about her own personal experiences and input regarding elder abuse, neglect, and stereotyping.

Visiting My Great Grandma

On mothers day I went to visit my 106 year old Great Grandmother

She does the Jumble game in the newspaper every morning

She said, “I may not be able to see or hear or walk, but I do have a strong and active mind.”

Interesting Facts

The fastest growing age group is 85 and older

Every 7.5 seconds a baby boomer turns 60

In 2030, 1 out of every 5 people will be 65 or older

In 2005, 25% of Americans over 50 played video games

Alike or Different?

At the beginning of this project, I already knew that the elderly were human just like all of us, but this project made me feel more respect towards the elderly.

I used to make small jokes with my brother saying that my grandparents were senile. After this project, though, I have really come to realize that as people get older they have more and more memories crowding their minds.

Their memories are what makes them interesting and enjoyable people to be around.

The elderly are definitely more alike then different. Society just needs to open their eyes and see elders for whom they truly are: humans.

Work Cited

Freedman, Carol. E-mail Interview. 3 April 2012.

Jaksic, Vesna. “Elderly Face Bias Stereotyping.” Global Action on Aging. 25 May 2003. (Web). 18 March 2012.

“Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect in Older Adults: Tips From the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging.” The Ags Foundation For Health in Aging. 27 April 2010. (Web). 18 March 2012.

Work Cited II

Robinson, Lawrence. “Elder Abuse and Neglect: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Help.” Helpguide.org. January 2012. (Web). 5 March 2012.

Starr, Brian. “Ten Ways to Prevent Elder Abuse.” Starr Law Firm. (Web). 18 March 2012.

Stevens, John. “Successful and Famous People Over 65.” EzineMark.com. 27 September 2011. (Web). 18 March 2012.

Work Cited III

“The Immortals: Successful Athletes Over 60, Chapter 12.” WorldHealth.net. 10 November 2003. (Web). 18 March 2012.

Walker, Jessica. “Elder Stereotypes in Media and Popular Culture.” Aging Watch. 30 October 2010. (Web). 7 March 2012.

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