Elder Abuse Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Elder Abuse - Assignment Example The impact that physical and emotional abuses have on old persons exacerbate the process of aging and the diseases that accompany the process. This complicates the ability of elders to leave the abusive relationship. Kinship obligations and use of extended family to resolve emerging issues complicate the resolution of abuses, especially if the victim is a woman. This paper is a case analysis of Harriet Fields case of elder abuse. Case Analysis A Summary of the Facts in the Case The case centres on elder abuse. The case is about Harriet Fields, an 88-year-old widow. Mrs. Fields lives with her son, Bernard, who is 55 years old and has lived with his mother all his life. Bernard has been unsuccessful in finding work, partly because he is unenthusiastic about it and because of his age. Mrs. Fields’ advanced age restrains her from undertaking many activities; this has contributed to her growing isolation from the rest of society. She no longer attends church services regardless of her strong religiosity (Payne, 2005). This prompted her pastor to visit her monthly. At some stage in the visits, the pastor became aware of Mrs. Fields’ injuries, which she had sustained from physical abuse by her son, Bernard. However, this was not an isolated incident as Mrs. Fields had been suffering successive physical abuse. She had not sought medical attention nor reported the incidences to the authorities. The pastor sought help from protective service workers, an unpleasant decision to Mrs Fields. Mrs. Fields’ case exhibited a lack of caregiver support. Mrs. Fields is also neglected as exhibited by unkemptness. She was also suffering from the diseases associated with aging such as poor vision and hearing capability (Payne, 2008). The protective officers notified the nurse and the police who visited her and offered her attention. Mrs. Fields was less enthusiastic about the recommendations of the police and the nurse. On confronting Bernard, the protection offic er learnt that he was unapologetic, blaming it all on her provocation. Mrs. Fields’ elderly relatives were also defensive of Bernard’s actions by dispelling accusations that he was an alcoholic. Main Problems in the case The problems highlighted by the case encompass abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Bernard subjected his mother to physical abuse and financial exploitation as well as mistreatment. In addition, Bernard subjects her to emotional abuse arising from verbal attacks and threats, which degrade and humiliate her (Grande, 2004). Mrs. Fields’ life also manifests abandonment fueled by loneliness and self-neglect whereby she disregards personal hygiene and health care. Her own actions or inactions such as unwillingness to seek medical care manifest self-harm and endangerment (Payne, 2005). Isolation aggravated the risk to abuse since Mrs. Fields kept a low social profile thus making the abuse go unnoticed. How the two theories explain the problems and the n eeds Feminist theory Feminist perspectives explain and respond to oppressive positions of women in most societies. Feminist perspectives delve more in increasing consciousness on women’s roles and positions. Feminist ideas lean towards radical transformation in societies (Payne, 2008). Feminists hold that social and institutional factors shape the positions of women in a patriarchal society. Feminists believe that the patriarchal society manifests increased domination in terms of privilege and empowerment of men. The provision of varying insights depending on the feminist premises yields different types of feminism, which are diverse, competing, and often contradictory (Grande, 2004). The five key feminist theoretical perspectives include liberal