In the case stated, Mamie is an 87 year old elder who lives with her 59 year old divorced son Merrick. She is slowly losing her memory to Senility and also suffers from degenerative Arthritis that has left her nearly incapacitated. Her son was hospitalized on a diagnosis of paranoid Schizophrenia and was discharged from the service many years ago. Mamie’s daughter wants the mother to be put in a nursing home because she claims that her brother is not taking care of their mother, this, according to her, is evidenced by the bruises on her body. Also, Moira says that, their mother was found in her brother’s car for hours late at night during winter while Meldrick visits OTB, plays cards or goes drinking. On the other hand, the brother claims that he can take care of his mother provided that he gets financial support from Moira and that the mother gets Social security and Medical assistance. Elder abuse is a serious offence that could lead to the death of an elder, and it occurs particularly in situations where the caregiver has a certain level of control over the elder. In our case, Meldrick is the caregiver responsible over Mamie, and is accused of physical abuse and neglect. Neglect refers to the lack of or inappropriate provision of basic needs among them; shelter, clothing, medication or assistance. The issue of neglect comes up when according to Moira; Meldrick leaves the mother in the car for hours during winter. In order to identify which appropriate steps to follow in this scenario, it is necessary to find out if Meldrick is truly guilty of abusing his mother. A careful analysis of his behavior using the theories stated by Wallace will enable us to comprehend the situation and us a result make appropriate decisions.

There are unified theories or perspective attempt to explain in depth, the complexity of the abuse of elders (Wallace & Bonnie, 2030).Also, the current theories provide an understanding of the nature of this abuse and thus enabling us to obtain models that we use to examine the complexity of elder abuse. The characteristics of the caregiver, who in this case, happens to be Meldrick, the characteristics of the older adult who is being mistreated, the features of the relationship between the two and the socio-cultural context. The suggested theories vary in different fields, for example, in sociology; the theories suggested are the situational theory, the social exchange theory, and social learning theory amongst others. In economic theory, factors such as the political economic theory, intra-individual-dynamics theory which argues that accusers are conscious of their acts of abuse, which they perform in private, and dependency exchange theory argues that the fact that one family member is economically dependent on the care giver puts the accuser in a position where he/she feels dominant over the other, and this encourages abuse, and inter generational exchange of violence. A cycle of family violence may also promote violence. Research shows that boys who witness family violence at home or in the neigbourhood are more likely to be violent and to practice violent acts such as elder abuse. Also, the cycle of violence theory states that traditionally men were taught not to show their family violence and abuse in the case stated; Mamie is an 87 year old elder who lives with her 59 year old divorced son Merrick. She is slowly losing her memory to Senility and also suffers from degenerative Arthritis that has left her nearly incapacitated. Her son was hospitalized on a diagnosis of paranoid Schizophrenia and was discharged from the service many years ago. Mamie’s daughter wants the mother to be put in a nursing home because she claims that her brother is not taking care of their mother, this, according to her, is evidenced by the bruises on her body. Also, Moira says that, their mother was found in her brother’s car for hours late at night during winter while Meldrick visits OTB, plays cards or goes drinking. On the other hand, the brother claims that he can take care of his mother provided that he gets financial support from Moira and that the mother gets Social security and Medical assistance. Elder abuse is a serious offence that could lead to the death of an elder, and it occurs particularly in situations where the caregiver has a limited to which he/she can exercise control over the elder. In our case, Meldrick is the caregiver responsible over Mamie, whom Moira accuses of physical abuse and neglect. Neglect refers to the lack of or inappropriate provision shelter, clothing, medication or assistance. The issue of neglect comes up when according to Moira; Meldrick leaves the mother in the car for hours during winter. In order to identify which appropriate steps to follow in this scenario, it is necessary to find out if Meldrick is truly guilty of abusing his mother. A careful analysis of his behavior using the theories stated by Wallace will enable us to comprehend the situation and us a result make appropriate decisions.

There are unified theories or perspective attempt to explain in depth, the complexity of the abuse of elders (Wallace & Bonnie, 2030).Also, the current theories provide an understanding of the nature of this abuse and thus enabling us to obtain models that we use to examine the complexity of elder abuse. It is of paramount importance to understand the characteristics of the caregiver, who in this case, happens to be Meldrick, the characteristics of the older adult who is being mistreated, the features of the relationship between the two and the socio-cultural context. The suggested theories vary in different fields, for example, in sociology; the theories suggested are the situational theory, the social exchange theory, and social learning theory amongst others. In economic theory, factors such as the political economic theory and intra-individual-dynamics theory  argues that, accusers are conscious of their acts of abuse, which they perform in private. moreover, dependency exchange theory argues that the fact that one family member is economically dependent on the caregiver puts the accuser in a position where he/she feels dominant over the other, and this encourages abuse, and inter-generational exchange of violence. A cycle of family violence may also promote violence. Research shows that boys who witness family violence in their home are more likely to be violent and to practice violent acts such as elder abuse. Also, the cycle of violence theory states that traditionally men were taught not to show their feelings and this leads to increased stress and frustration that results to stress build up. However, in our case, no account of previous family violence is given, and in terms of economic issues, Merrick says that he needs financial assistance from the sister in order to take care of their mother.

The trans-generational violence theory states that children learn to channel stress through violence from the environment in which they are brought up. This environment portrays violence as an acceptable behavior (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003).In our case, there is no background behavior of Meldrick being brought up in a violent environment. The physical or mental dependence or impairment theory attributes the cause of violence to severe impairment of the elder, which results into them being susceptible to abuse. In our case, Mamie suffers from Senility and degenerative arthritis. Senility results in symptoms such as memory loss. These conditions make her vulnerable to abuse (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003).Another theory is on pathological abusers, in which the abuser suffers from personality flaws that cause abusiveness. Here, it is important to note that Meldrick was earlier diagnosed of paranoid Schizophrenia, which is a mental disorder that causes delusions, making it difficult for an individual to discern between what is real or not. Paranoid Schizophrenia is as serious condition that can lead to personality flaws, current studies have shown a correlation between Schizophrenia and violence (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003), thus increasing the possibility of family violence. The issue of stress is also theorized to lead to elder abuse. Taking care of a mental or physically impaired elder can be stressful and, as a result, lead to abuse. In our case, Mamie is physically and mentally impaired, and this could be stressful on Meldrick. However, the son claims to be willing to take care of the mother as long as he gets financial support from the sister and the mother gets medical assistance. The societal theory states that certain societal attitudes encourage elder abuse, In addition to this; they can lead to the occurrence of elder abuse without any detection. This theory attributes occurrence of elder abuse to societal failure to recognize the moral offence of such actions.

Sudden decrease in cash flow of the person being abused, inappropriate use of medication, dehydration, poor nutrition or physical injury a. Mamie has bruises that Meldrick insists were obtained when he was lifting her from the wheel chair or bed. Investigations should be carried out, for example, interviewing close family friends or neighbors for thru purpose of obtaining more information on the matter. Also, Mamie’s health should be looked into, together with her medical records to see if she has been receiving the regular checkups and medication. Investigation into the matter will enable us to make appropriate decisions regarding the situation.

Elder abuse can be in terms of financial abuse, neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse or sexual abuse. In the event that Meldrick is found guilty of this serious offence, then Mamie will be taken to a nursing home. The evidence brought up by Moira is proof of neglect and the physical scars are evidence of physical abuse. Mamie is in a vulnerable state because of her condition; therefore, it is safe to say, considering Meldrick’s history of mental disorder, that, a nursing home is the most appropriate option in this situation. Societal beliefs such as men concealing their feelings, leads to increased stress and frustration that results to stress build up. However, in our case, no account of previous family violence is given, and in terms of economic issues, Merrick says that he needs financial assistance from the sister in order to take care of their mother.

The trans-generational violence theory states that children learn to channel stress through violence from the environment in which they are brought up. This environment portrays violence as an acceptable behavior (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003).In our case, there is no background behavior of Meldrick being brought up in a violent environment. The physical or mental dependence or impairment theory attributes the cause of violence to severe impairment of the elder, which results into them being susceptible to abuse. In our case, Mamie suffers from Senility and degenerative arthritis. Senility results in symptoms such as memory loss. This conditions make her vulnerable to abuse (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003).Another theory is on pathological abusers, in which the abuser suffers from personality flaws that cause abusiveness. Here, it is important to note that Meldrick was earlier diagnosed of paranoid Schizophrenia, which is a mental disorder that causes delusions, making it difficult for an individual to discern between what is real or not. Paranoid Schizophrenia is as serious condition that can lead to personality flaws, current studies have shown a correlation between Schizophrenia and violence (Wallace & Bonnie, 2003), thus increasing the possibility of family violence. The issue of stress is also theorized to lead to elder abuse. Taking care of a mental or physically impaired elder can be stressful and, as a result lead to abuse. In our case, Mamie is physically and mentally impaired, and this could be stressful on Meldrick. However, the son claims to be willing to take care of the mother as long as he gets financial support from the sister and the mother gets medical assistance. The societal theory states that certain societal attitudes encourage elder abuse, In addition to this, they can lead to the occurrence of elder abuse without any detection. This theory attributes occurrence of elder abuse to societal failure to recognize the moral offence of such actions.

Sudden decrease in cash flow of the person being abused, inappropriate use of medication, dehydration, poor nutrition or physical injury a. Mamie has bruises that Meldrick insists were obtained when he was lifting her from the wheel chair or bed. Investigations should be carried out, for example, interviewing close family friends or neighbors for thru purpose of obtaining more information on the matter. Also, Mamie’s health should be looked into, together with her medical records to see if she has been receiving the regular checkups and medication. Investigation into the matter will enable us to make appropriate decisions regarding the situation.

Elder abuse can be in terms of financial abuse, neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse or sexual abuse. In the event that Meldrick is found guilty of this serious offence, then Mamie will be taken to a nursing home. The evidence brought up by Moira is proof of neglect and the physical scars are evidence of physical abuse. Mamie is in a vulnerable state because of her condition; therefore, it is safe to say, considering Meldrick’s history of mental disorder, that, a nursing home is the most appropriate option in this situation.

CLICK BUTTON TO ORDER NOW