Don't Abuse America's Seniors: Let Them Enjoy Life!

The New York City Elder Abuse Center posits various examples of elder abuse or neglect. A Mrs. Rose has a 'wonderful' 37-year-old son named Derek. He's got a drug problem, and he yanked a bloody swatch of his mother's hair out of her head during an argument when she refused to give him money. Mr. Koff's 44-year-old mentally ill daughter, Karen, threatened to rip the phone out of the wall and trap him in his bedroom while he slept if her father didn't let her boyfriend spend the night. Mrs. Goffard owned some jewelry that was precious to her. But her 21-year-old granddaughter, Ivy, sold the jewelry without permission and used the money to pay back a debt to an acquaintance. The 32-year-old stepson of a Mrs. Noonan forced her to watch pornography with him while he exposed himself.

Now, here's the kicker, thousands more Americans have one parent or both secluded in their homes. Most do not overtly abuse or harm them. However, they take the parent's social security check and pension money. They take away their autonomy under the guise of making sure they don't "hurt themselves." However, the biggest crime is the fact that the parent could still be quite active, enjoy outings, spend days or evenings with friends, cook or do hobbies, and enjoy being accompanied by their adult child on errands and shopping trips. But they are cast aside as if they are useless.

Contrary to what some may think, many seniors don't typically want to live in the home of a relative; for as long as possible, they want to live on their own. In fact, research shows that only about 1 in 1000 would prefer to live with their kids. This population is not helpless by any means. The facts indicate that Americans over the age of fifty own 75 percent of all American assets and spend half the money. Close to 70 percent of them still own their homes. They vote and are often more active in the community than are those who are younger. Many even exercise regularly and work out at gyms.

And caregivers must help seniors to remain as active and independent as possible for as long as possible. They must walk that fine line between using methods to preserve and promote normal functions for as long as possible while still beginning to assist the senior with overly difficult duties. In other words, most seniors express a strong desire to remain relatively independent for as long as possible and efforts can be made through exercise, diet, and physical activity in order to allow them that ongoing sense of accomplishment and self-respect. Aerobic exercise, brisk walking, leg and arm strength routines, and health monitoring is important. It is vital that senior mobility is evaluated consistently because adult falls often result in severe injury, including torn muscles or broken bones.

Authorities Mark Freedman and Phyllis Moen both write of a new demographic forming in America. By the year 2030 there will be about 72,000,000 individuals in the U.S. over age 65. That is twice the number of seniors in 2000. They call it the mid-course or the New Life-Stage. It will primarily encompass this baby boom generation. Millions of these "retirees" will actually retool themselves and launch second or third careers, develop new 'identities', establish new patterns with their significant others, and avoid boredom and helplessness at all costs. Abigail Trafford, Washington Post columnist, writes, "Something huge is happening here... The emergence of an older, more vigorous population is the most significant story of our times."