Resources

Elder abuse is any intentional, negligent act that causes harm or distress. Some forms of abuse are the following:  Physical abuse is restraining, hitting, slapping, pushing, or any form of physical harm. Psychological abuse is marked by social isolation, verbal abuse, shaming, intimidation, and humiliation, aggressive and controlling behavior by the caregiver. Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual contact and is usually under-reported because of victims' feelings of shame. Neglect and self-neglect , often overlooked, involve a lack of basic hygiene, food, or medical care, clean, appropriate clothing, and being bedbound. A mentally demented person may be left unsupervised. Abandonment without care is common but largely invisible. Neglect includes a lack of medical aids, such as broken or missing eyeglasses, walkers, hearing aids, and medications. Financial abuse is the failure to provide for elders’ needs by caregivers and when the elder “voluntarily” gives inappropriate financial reimbursement for needed care and companionship. Abuse includes unauthorized use of the elder’s money or valuable assets by caregivers, family members, or strangers. It may consist of fraud, outright theft, scams, and exploitation. Financial abuse is the easiest to prove. Necessary amenities are not provided. Others may be living on the elders’ financial assets. Manipulation is involved in signing legal documents such as property transfers. Financial Gain – Theft of an older person’s money or other assets. Sometimes it can be a form of emotional punishment, domination, and control. If a caretaker is not properly vetted , it may cause problems such as theft or abuse. I’m always concerned about a change in behavior because it may indicate or be a symptom of abuse. This has been my experience. A behavior change may also be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition. It is vital to have a medical examination as soon as the behavior is observed. Be aware that abuse is not always apparent and may even go unnoticed. Protect your loved ones.

Loneliness contributes to alcohol and drug abuse. I’ve observed clients whose behaviors have been detrimental and even dangerous to their health due to polypharmacy treatments for depression. Sometimes debilitating depression is more than dangerous for their health. Their health can be compromised due to depression and medication abuse, which is sometimes accidental. Depression from loneliness can impair judgment. Medications should be regularly reviewed with a professional.

I'm excited to share insights from recent surveys and reports that shed light on the evolving landscape of aging and healthcare. A particularly noteworthy article by U.S. News & World Report, titled "Aging-in-place Survey Finds Positive Views, Overwhelming Support for Tech," has brought to the forefront a significant trend. Surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 reveal that an astounding 93% of respondents view aging in place as an 'important goal.' This widespread sentiment underscores a collective desire for independence and comfort as we age. However, achieving this goal comes with its challenges. The healthcare industry is currently grappling with a severe shortfall of healthcare and homecare workers, a crisis further exacerbated by the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has strained our healthcare systems and accelerated burnout among nurses and aides, leading to a wave of retirements. Given what they've been through, we must acknowledge the immense dedication of these frontline heroes and extend our unwavering support to them. A 2022 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighted how the pandemic intensified workforce challenges in the healthcare sector. The increased burnout, emotional distress, and high turnover rates among healthcare workers have become critical issues (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Data Tour," 2022). These challenges are further illuminated by a 2020 survey from Mental Health America, which found that 93% of healthcare workers were experiencing stress, 86% reported anxiety, and 76% reported burnout (Source: Mental Health America, "The Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in COVID-19," 2020). Moreover, a 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the pandemic, with frontline workers being particularly affected (Source: Lai et al., "Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019," JAMA Network Open, 2021). The National Nurses United (NNU) also reported in 2021 that nurses faced increased workloads, staffing shortages, and a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), all contributing to high levels of burnout and mental health issues (Source: National Nurses United, "Workplace Violence and COVID-19 Burnout Among Nurses," 2021). Furthermore, another 2021 study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 61% of healthcare workers reported emotional exhaustion, 38% reported depersonalization, and 24% reported a low sense of personal accomplishment during the pandemic (Source: Prasad et al., "Prevalence and Correlates of Stress and Burnout Among U.S. Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey Study," Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2021). These statistics paint a stark picture of the mental and emotional toll the pandemic has taken on those who have been tirelessly caring for others. In response to these challenges, there has been a growing reliance on technology to support aging in place and assist healthcare workers. The most helpful technologies include: Medical or health-related mobile apps. Service-related apps like food and grocery delivery. Wearable medical or health trackers. Assistive smart-home technologies such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa devices. Additionally, hearing-assistance devices and medical alert systems like LifeAlert are gaining popularity. One intriguing device is ElliQ, an empathetic robot designed to assist older people. While we all know that machines do not have feelings, ElliQ is designed to mimic empathy and provide companionship, proving to be a helpful ally for many. If you're curious, watch this video to see ElliQ in action: ElliQ: ElliQ - The Empathetic Companion . Some of these results are in real-world situations. In 2022, New York's State Office for the Agings announced that it had satrted a program to deploy smart-home technology to combat feelings of senior isolation. One year later, an assessment of that program found that it helped lead to a 95% reduction in feelings of loneliness for program participants, along with high levels of user engagement. Robotics and technology help with short-staffing in home healthcare. While we're not there yet, the role of technology in healthcare is evolving. In the face of a staffing shortage, many elderly and infirm individuals living alone can now receive additional monitoring and support. For instance, a device can detect a lack of movement and alert others in the event of a fall at home. It is heartening to see technology's positive impact. Let's continue to embrace the innovations that make aging in place a more attainable goal for everyone. -Luke Daniels CLICK HERE to receive your complimentary Personal Proactive Planner: https://bit.ly/Personal_Proactive_Planner

Planning allows individuals, families, organizations, and societies to set goals, establish priorities, and allocate resources effectively. Let’s explore some reasons why planning is essential.

Play isn't just for children! Engaging in play has positive effects on our bodies.