The current controversies and concerns regarding nursing homes, elder abuse and other detrimental elements in the provision of care for the elderly should lead to an examination of the total position of our older population. Entire system needs to be examined The current controversies and concerns regarding nursing homes, elder abuse and other detrimental elements in the provision of care for the elderly should lead to an examination of the total position of our older population. It is true that we need to find a solution to the immediate nursing home crisis. Abuses of any type, particularly of the vulnerable and defenseless, cannot be tolerated.
Positive programming needs to be supported.
We find no difficulty in conceptualizing the developmental history of human beings until they reach old age. At this point, we polarize them into homogeneously stereotyped groups of individuals who either can live on their own or who require institutionalized assistance. While the fact of the matter is that our older population is as heterogeneous a group, developmentally and functionally, as any other in our society. A comprehensive system of community supports, increasing the ability of older people to remain in the community, is both socially and fiscally warranted. There are sample community systems that have proved to be effective, allowing for alternatives to these unsatisfactory, ineffective and needlessly expensive lack of choices.