Old Age: Golden Age or Black and Blue Age?

Jeanie Oliver

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Rocking chairs usually remind most people of the most beloved and protected time of their lives. That time when we were babies and in the caring arms of our parents or grandparents. People who had our best interest at heart. But, rocking chairs also remind some people that we will all get old. A process that will aflict all people. Also, unfortunately, with that age will come abuse and neglect for too many in our society.

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is a rising problem in the nursing home industry today. Abuse is the intentional harm of a patient: physical, emotional, or sexual. Neglect is that harm caused by the staff of a nursing home because of inadequate knowledge, training or laziness. Abuse is prevalent in nursing homes because all too often the system for background checks for staff is faulty. Federal law, according to the AARP, does not require long-term facilities to conduct national criminal background checks. Even in states that require background checks, the process can take 4 months. In some states, employees are allowed to work while waiting on the checks. So during this wait time, residents are in possible danger. In Arkansas, the Attorney General's office handles complaints and reports of elderly abuse in nursing homes. Information on this issue in Arkansas can be obtained at www.aradultprotection.com. Plan ahead and protect your loved one with knowledge and education in this area. Let's help old age be the golden age for all of America's elderly.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Neglect.