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Elder Abuse: The Inside Job
http://www.setthestageforsuccess.com/articles/51667/1/Elder-Abuse-The-Inside-Job/Page1.html
Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert
Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert is the founder of National Information Resource Services (NIRS), an organization committed to educating people on the home care industry. Currently residing in Newport Coast, CA, Rejoyce is the General Manager of MemorialCare Home Caregivers. She is also a nationally recognized advocate for the elderly and is one of the most highly-sought after speakers in her field. She is a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and continues to work hard and help people realize their own goals.
 
By Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert
Published on 02/4/2012
 
The Bureau of the Census in Washington DC states that the group known as the elderly population or the sixty five (65) and older crowd is also becoming the fastest growing people in the United States of America. They are also becoming the most targeted people to be abused, financially, physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally. What can be done to protect this vital group?
The elderly are not only targeted by career criminals and greedy business people, they are most targeted by family members, so-call friends, caregivers, well wishers and politicians running for offices. Financial abuse seems to be the most common abuse, however physical, mental and emotional abuse can also have a significant impact. Elderly people are frequently targeted by television, telephone, and mailers to contribute, to give, and to help others, even though they live on a limited income themselves.

Sadly, many politicians -- those who were elected by the more than 75 million baby boomers that make up this group -- find it all too easy to cut funds from programs that help the very people who put them into office. These people built this country with their sweat and helped to make it into the empire it is today, only to be shut out from its protections in their golden years.

Elder abuse has been on the rise for several years now. It is not a subject that has ever dominated our airways or sparked conversation around the office cooler, however it is worthy of note. The majority of our elderly have experienced some form of elder abuse at the hands of a family member, caregiver, friends or so-called well wishers. And these cases go largely unpunished, unspoken of by the majority of people living in this country.

Most of the elderly population today grew up during a time where honesty and decency was the moral code that the majority of Americans lived by. Trust was a normal part of the world. As the baby boomers and those who are older than the baby boomers move into this arena, they bring with them their beliefs, which include trust, caring, sharing and loving.

Sadly, American society has been changing from being "my brother’s keeper" to becoming "my brother’s robbers". The elderly population has been made afraid. They are ashamed of speaking out about the abuses they have encountered in their very own homes and lives.

In 1990 the American Census Bureau projected that by the year 2020 there would be over fifty-four million (54) elderly people living in America. Yet even with the knowledge of the impact that all these elderly people could have in shaping the political landscape of this country; they are still left unprotected to be abused.

What will it take for our community leaders, our law enforcements, and our politicians to realize that each one of us has the potential to become an abused elderly person? After all, every one of us faces the possibility that we will wear the label of “Elderly" at some point in our lives?

Elder abuse can be stopped. Elder abuse can be eliminated. If twenty-four hour television would contribute less that a quarter of the time they provide to the politicians and to the negative broadcasting now taking over the airways, elder abuse would be eradicated and Americans could live out their golden years in peace and happiness, just as their grandparents and great grandparents did.

I am calling all Americans to vote to STOP ELDER ABUSE NOW.

How? By taking a stand and uniting against these heinous crimes. By speaking up on behalf of those who can't and won't in order to make the world a little safer for those citizens who built the land we love.