Behavioral & Mental Health

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Elder Abuse Month
Elder Abuse Month 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

Elder Abuse Month
By Robert Goodman, MSW

 

April is Elder Abuse month. Elder abuse and neglect are a major issue in Florida where so many seniors retire. Elder abuse comes in many forms: physical, psychological, financial, and sexual. Many older adults cannot take of themselves due to frailty or dementia and either self-neglect or are neglected or exploited by others.

The American Geriatric Society website describes research suggesting that 700,000 to 1.2 million elderly people (i.e., 6% of all adults older than 60) are subjected to elder mistreatment in the United States and that there are 450,000 new cases annually.  The Florida Department of Elder Affairs investigated 41,019 reports of elder abuse and neglect during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Of those reports 10% resulted in physical injury, 1% involved sexual abuse or substance abuse, 62% were a result of neglect, 18% involved exploitation of the elderly, and 8% involved mental injury.

You can help stop abuse and neglect of the elderly by understanding what abuse and neglect are and by learning the signs.

Physical abuse includes any physical contact with an older adult that results in a physical injury. Self-neglect is often indicated by a person’s inability to care for themselves. Neglect by others may result in malnutrition, dehydration, or a failure to get help or services for a frail older person. Psychological abuse is indicated when a person is being harassed, berated, put down, and made to feel bad about themselves. Financial exploitation involves the improper use of someone’s funds, property, or assets.

If you believe someone is being abused, neglected, exploited by someone else, neglecting themselves you have a legal obligation and moral responsibility to call the state abuse hotline: 1-800-96ABUSE or 1-800-962-2873 and report the situation. You can report anonymously.

Elder Abuse and Neglect Resource Contacts:

Elder Helpline

1-800-96ELDER

Fraud Hotline

1-800-378-0445

Statewide Senior Legal Helpline

1-888-895-7873

Consumer Services

800-435-7352

Financial Services

1-800-342-2762

National Fraud Information Center

1-800-876-7060

 

Resources on Elder Abuse and Neglect:

Foundation for Healthy Aging

www.healthyaging.org

National Institute of Health Medline

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elderabuse.html

National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

www.preventelderabuse.org

National Center on Elder Abuse

www.ncea.aoa.gov

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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Coping with the Holidays
Coping with the Holidays 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

By Robert Goodman, MSW
 
 
The holidays are supposed to be a time for family gathering, happiness, joyous celebrations, and hope. Unfortunately, for many it is a time of loneliness and sadness. The stress of the holidays can cause anxiety and depression.
Here are some suggestions by psychologists and social workers on how to cope with the holidays:

  1. Understand how the holidays affect you. What do they mean to you?
  2. If your holiday blues are a result of the stress from all the extra demands of the holidays, do some things to reduce the demands. Rethink how you view and approach the holidays.
  3. If your holiday blues are stemming from past losses, take advantage of the holidays to help you complete your mourning and lessen your grieving over the loss.
  4. Organize and plan your activities during this period. Stay busy and avoid unstructured time. Spend time in the clubhouse, participating in the many activities that are available. Exercise. Get involved in synagogue or church activities.
  5. Think of the blessings in your life: friends, children, grandchildren, etc.
  1. Don’t isolate yourself. If you can’t be with family, invite some close friends over to share the holidays.
  1. Volunteer your time.
  2. Try to avoid alcohol.
  3. Watch your finances. Overspending will cause worry over bills after the holidays are over.
  4. Don’t deny or try to hide your feelings of sadness. Seek professional help.
  5. Take time to reflect on past friendships and pleasant memories.

 

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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The 5 Stages of Grief
The 5 Stages of Grief 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

The 5 Stages of Grief

The grief that follows the loss of someone or something dear to us can seem unbearable, but grief is actually a healing process. The death of a loved one, loss of a limb, even intense disappointment can cause grief. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross has named five stages of grief people go through following a serious loss. Sometimes people get stuck in one of the first four stages. Their lives can be painful until they move to the fifth stage—acceptance.

Five Stages Of Grief

  1. Denial and Isolation. At first, the grieving person tends to deny the loss has taken place and may withdraw from usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments or longer.
  2. Anger. The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if that person is dead), or at the world, God, or him/herself for letting it happen even if realistically nothing could have stopped it.
  3. Bargaining. Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, “If I do this, will you take away the loss?”
  4. Depression. The person feels numb although anger and sadness may remain underneath.
  5. Acceptance. Anger, sadness, and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

Grief And Stress

During grief, it is common to experience feelings such as sorrow, anger, loneliness, sadness, shame, anxiety, and guilt. When people suggest “looking on the bright side,” the grieving person may feel pressured to hide or deny these emotions. Denying these feelings and failing to work through the five stages of grief will make it harder for healing to take place.

Recovering From Grief

Grieving and its stresses pass more quickly with good self-care habits. It helps to have a close circle of family or friends. Seek out bereavement support groups (see pg 51), including those online. Eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, and resting are critical. If good self-care habits are practiced, it can be very helpful in dealing  with the pain and shock of loss until acceptance is reached.

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Robert Goodman, MSW

Location:

4037 Wolverton B
Boca Raton, FL 33434

Phone:

954-806-7321

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