Assessment | lack of appropriate act happening

Running Head: WELFARE LAW 1
Welfare Law
Student’s Name
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WELFARE LAW 2
Introduction
Elder abuse can be identified as one or reoccurring actions or lack of appropriate act happening
within any relationship where there are trust expectations that bring about the danger to an older
individual. Elder abuse can be in different types like sexual, psychological, and physical. It might
also lead to neglect that is either expected or unexpected (Kennedy, Richards, & Leiman, 2016).
Furthermore, elder abuse has different consequences for people and the community
encompassing physical injuries and long-term psychological effects, more risk of nursing home
placement, emergency services use, death, and hospitalization.
Types of elderly abuse
There are many forms of violence. They include:
Physical abuse: This occurs when a person causes bodily harm by slapping, hitting, or pushing
(Holmes, 2018).
Emotional abuse: It is also identified as psychological abuse which can encompass a care
provider saying words that are hurtful, yelling, threats, and even ignoring the older person
repeatedly (O’Brien, 2018). Also, this involves keeping the older person from communicating or
seeing close friends and families.
Neglect: This happens when the care provider does not try to answer to the needs of the older
person (Nagaratnam & Nagaratnam, 2019).
Abandonment: This is when the older person alone without planning for his or her care
(Shankardass & Rajan, 2018).
Sexual Abuse: This is forcing an older person to be part of sexual occurrences (Said, 2019).

WELFARE LAW 3
Financial Abuse: This occurs when belongings and money are taken away. It can encompass
forging cheques, taking somebody’s social security and retirement benefits. It also involves
changing names on a will, insurance policy, and bank account or the title of the house of the
older person without permission (Morris,2018). In addition, financial abuse has become a
menace, and it is hard to know when it is taking place. A stranger can steal information regarding
finance by using a phone, email, or even online.
Healthcare fraud: This can be done by health professionals such as doctors, nurses, and other
healthcare nurses. This involves charging more amount than what is required, billing twice for
the same type of service, making Medicare claims that are false or charging for care that was not
given.
How to protect the elderly
There have been efforts to protect the elderly from all forms of abuse. There are different ways
of ways that might reduce the rate of elderly abuse. The first one is to avoid isolating older
people. Isolation can result in depression, loneliness, and sadness, which will increase more
opportunities for abuse and neglect. In addition, staying with them and giving them time will
provide them with more peace. The second one is to keep in touch with the elderly (Fitzroy
Legal Service, 2018 ). This means that family members or relatives can assist in caring for the
elderly and be keen on any transitions that may occur, which may suggest abuse. Another one is
keeping elders active. If the elders are engaged, they will be able to prolong their life and reduce
the chances of vulnerability to abuse. Also, elders must be encouraged to go to religious services
and community activities. This will assist them to be in touch with important things to them
throughout their lives. Furthermore, elders must not be allowed to live with an abusive person.