Special problems with the elderly can become vast
and complicated according to the variables surrounding the individual. Chapter
12 discusses suicide, crimes against older people, aging criminals, elder
abuse, fraud, medical and health care fraud, drug abuse, and promoting consumer
education. According to Hillier & Barrow (2011), suicide is the ultimate
reaction to hopelessness - the acting out of a belief that there is no promise
to the future and no reason to live in it. The text describes suicide in old
age as statistically being a man’s issue. Some experts speculate that medical
technology has introduced a quality of life that older adults cannot accept.
Many medical advances give people longer lives but not necessarily a better
long life. The text discusses choosing to die which is a major issue in the
Texas legislature going on today in Texas. Crimes against older people are more
likely to take place in their homes, while younger people are more likely to be
attacked when they are away from their homes. The chapter discusses ways of
fighting back with several different programs many cities have implemented.
Programs such as Neighborhood Watch which emphasizes crime awareness in
residents of all ages; in many cities, “granny squads” of older people patrol
neighborhood blocks, and some cities provide escort services to older people.
There are also aging criminals who mostly commit petty crimes but there are some
who commit felonies. Elder abuse is another special problem and most abuse of
elders is done by the person with whom they live. Physical, psychological, financial,
violations of rights and neglect just to name a few are abuse elders are
exposed to. Elders are also victims of fraud because they can be so trusting.
As a result of being trusting, they fall victim to land and home equity fraud,
credit card fraud, telemarket fraud, and many more. Elders also deal with alcoholism
and drug abuse. Our society offers drugs, both legal and illegal, as a solution
to a host of problems. Chapter 12 concludes with promoting consumer education. It
discusses how consumer education is vital in helping individuals to avoid
fraud, medical quackery, and drug abuse.
Hillier, S. & Barrow, G.
(2011). Aging, the individual, and society. 3-28. 9th ed. California: WADSWORTH
There are many problems that elderly individuals are faced with every day. There should be more laws to protect them. My great grandma lived with a man, they were just friends, for 15 years in a retirement community. Last summer she came into the house from grocery shopping and he had committed suicide. She said that his health had been steadily declining. He had recently had a stroke and had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. But she said that they had dinner the night before and he seemed to be very happy. There should be more counseling or groups for elderly people to talk to.
ReplyDeleteIt is incredible how many older people get attacked. Who would ever do such a thing, there is no explanation for them. It is also sad when older people do not want to live anymore and commit suicide. I think some people do not wantto live bbecause of their disease either they are suffering too much or they do not want to be a burden to someone else. I know a lot of people would tell me that if they are ever diagnosed with a chronic disease or can no longer move they would prefer to die. I think another reason would be because they dont want to feel useless and dependent on someone or something.
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