Elder abuse has only recently become a focus. Elder abuse includes the additional acts of neglect and financial or material exploitation during the act of providing care for the dependent. Neglect is the most prevalent reported type of elder abuse. Violence is never acceptable and should never be tolerated. The nursing profession has a professional and social responsibility to address this issue.
Individuals have a right to a safe environment.
Addressing the Problem Nurses are in a strategic position to address the issue of violence in families because we are often the first professionals to interact with the victims of family violence. Nurses are seen by the public as accessible and non-threatening, which allows them to initiate therapeutic relationships built on trust. Nurses need to be aware of the important role they play in prevention, identification, intervention, and rehabilitation of families and individuals who have been exposed to or suffered from family violence. If we don t provide effective help, then we are permitting a chronic and potentially fatal problem to exist. Early intervention is the key to stopping later acts of violence.