Older people are often portrayed in the media in negative contexts.
With the economic crisis again in focus and spending reform the welfare system.
Pension reform and reducing costs of care are perceived as a necessary evil, and is to some extent self-evident. Old people are often portrayed as those who only take and not produce.
And some would say that this is something more than we can afford.
I want to point out that it is in many respects that old people were part of the labor market for many years, and have regularly been the driving force behind the economy in its working age participated in the pension and social insurance under laws then. In addition, many of them are retired and still active in the labor market and not just as those who "occupy" the place of younger (which itself is a need to challenge), as well as those who create jobs (such as employers but as a consumer group).
At the same time I consider it appropriate to emphasize that older people both men and women are part of the economy in other ways, though often informal. Thanks to the custody of grandchildren to help loosen the labor market for younger parents, mothers and fathers.
It is clearly unfair to promote negative stereotypes of older people.
However, life is not fair, despite the above arguments still going on.
It's not just stereotypes, negative perceptions of older people and of ageism.
This negative attitude supported by a wider indifference, can and will continue to grow.
It is torture and abuse of the elderly.
Each year approximately 2.8% (4 million) people over 60 years of age experience physical abuse and sexual abuse, 19.5% (29 million) suffer from physical abuse and psychological abuse, 3.7% (6 million) experience financial maltreatment and abuse, and 0.6% (1 million) experience sexual abuse.
Around 41 million people over 60 years of age are directly threatened in the United States alone.
Speaking of torture and abuse of the elderly, we must bear in mind that this is a multilayered problem. It concerns human rights, the physical and mental, financial, as well as sexual violence or neglect. This violence is unique not only because it is perpetrated on older people (and who is "older" is often the subject of expert discussions), but also because it is perpetrated within relationships.
Trust and its misuse or abuse of dependence in this area are often inflected.
Mrs. Whitfield addresses the situation where her daughter is very unpleasant, often shouting and usually resorting to physical abuse. Yelling, threatening to leave Mrs. Whitfield, and cannot handle anything that is just a burden, it would be better if she had already died. Originally it was just a little push, now it’s the norm that Mrs. Whitfield falls causing injuries even leaving scars.
Still, Mrs. Whitfield otherwise very capable, even though she worked long she is over 70 years old, manages to not only take care of herself (cook, clean up), but also a house with a garden. And maybe it is so as Ms. Whitfield says her daughter does not tolerate her.
This short example of a well affects many features of this phenomenon: one is the repetition and gradual deterioration. Another is the spiral of violence, which is gradually escalating violence and increasing its intensity. And last but not least when talking about the characteristics of maltreatment and abuse of older people and more types of abuse linking: here specifically psychological abuse (shouting, swearing, threats) of physical abuse (pushing, assault, bodily harm) and potential threats to financial abuse (obtaining property, requiring the Treasury).
If we allow this violence children inflict upon their parents, self-blame is very strongly present.
A common reason why elderly people are silent is also the simple fact that the behavior of their children or grandchildren is embarrassing to them. Elderly people are also generally less likely to ask for help, there are barriers that must be overcome to come out with their troubles in public.
In addition to the problem of shame and speaking about the situation, it is the ignorance of the possibility of redress, ignorance authorities can intervene, and ways to remedy the situation might look impossible. Another barrier is the practical unavailability of such bodies: the need to come from smaller municipalities in the county town to a specialized institution or to the intervention center (money to travel) is difficult for some older and frail women (or men) than for the general population. Public transport nonexistent stairs and wheelchair access are more difficult obstacles.
And then again there's the fear, fear of the reaction, when senior citizens are viewed differently......"What's the old lady here want?"
The victim of neglect and abuse can be trying to do something about the situation, but unfortunately, get into the pitfalls of ageism from those who should help.
The year 2012 is a year of active aging.
As such, it is to bring focus on the positives, which can be obtained in the framework of cooperation and coexistence of generations, both in private and public spheres.
To enable us to get all these positives, it is necessary to ignore the problems, difficulties and age stereotypes and actively intervene against them. Specifically, to define the trampled rights of older people to torture, abuse and neglect, and to act as an identity that is generally responsive and sensitive.
Even to the aged.
Credits
“Mrs. Sharron Whitfield”
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