This weeks' reading in our Diversity and Aging course at USC brought up the disturbing fact that elderly inhabitants of nursing homes are often mistreated by staff members, who apparently have zero regard for the well being of the residents. Such treatment includes physical and mental abuse. Laura Katz Olson's book Age Through Ethnic Lenses explains that "one survey found that 36 percent of nursing home aides had observed other staff psychologically and/or physically abusing residents. Such abuse included using excessive restraints; grabbing, kicking, pushing, or shoving patients; throwing things, yelling and swearing at residents; and denying them food and privileges". While this is only one example, it is nonetheless very unsettling to think that this behavior is going on under any circumstances at all in assisted living housing complexes.
I feel that with quality and reliable easy-to-use home appliances and equipment, families can feel confident with leaving their elderly relatives in their homes without constant attention. Facts like the ones above are direct testaments and motivation to make the efforts to do so. And this is not to say that nursing homes are the worst places in the world. There are, of course, many benefits - often times for both the resident and his or her family. Children of elderly who are busy with work and children of their own do not likely have the time required to give sufficient time to their impaired loved ones. Also, many elderly people need consistent medical care that cannot be provided by an untrained child, which is where nursing home staff members are extremely useful and reliable.
Personally, I don't plan on ever being a resident of a nursing home, which is why I fully support continual innovation in the assisted living technology field for elderly individuals and families who share my sentiments.
No comments:
Post a Comment