Health Care and Aging Policy Analysis Research Paper

Health Care and Aging Policy Analysis - Research Paper Example This may also include the failure to satisfy the needs of the elders or protect them from harms. It is unfortunate, that most of the times mistreatment is being caused but the people are unaware of it (Falk, 2012). Elder mistreatment is most of the times not reported because of the lack of training given to professional who miss it out. It has been reported that about 1.2 million elders are mistreated every year by self or others. 450,000 cases are new every year which are identified, yet the awareness and control has been sparse. These alarming figures have lead to the immense need to address and assess the mistreatment caused to elders through abuse, neglect or exploitation. There is no definite cause for elder abuse as it varies on situations and there can be a number of reasons why elders are mistreated at home or at nursing care homes (Stiegel, 2010). Historical background of the policy: The Elder Justice Act was introduced in 2003 to improve the conditions of this social proble m in America. The act was initially introduced by Senator John Breaux. The act was not only designed to address the elder mistreatment but also to address to the message of human rights for freedom from exploitation and abuse. The Elder Justice Coalition was formed which brought together all advocates who were committed to the social policy of elder protection. After 2003, the coalition fought and ensured that the Elder Justice Act was signed (Mellor, 2013). In 2010, the Elder Justice Act was signed into law by President Obama. It was passed in the Patient Protection and Affordability Act which was a health care reform. This act was addressed as the identification and recognition of the problem which had marked the beginning of the end of elder mistreatment. This act covered a large area which included the administration of the health care and the streaming of the problem by creating provisions to make proposals and alternatives for the problem. The act is now a law and it covers an d authorizes the dealing of the funds which are necessary to implement and provide benefits to those elders who are mistreated nationwide (Pampel, 2008). Bases of Social Allocation: It is important to analyze the group of people who come under the Elder Justice Act (EJA). This act is selective as it is for those people who are eligible and who need the services the most. This group of people is the elders who are above 60 years of age and are through any means being abused, tortured, mistreated or exploited. Research has concluded that elders who are disabled, demented or the ones who live in nursing homes suffer more abuse and mistreatment. Approximately 14 million of elders over 65 years of age are disabled in the U.S. These elders are more likely to be a subject of abuse by family members, care takers, service providers or other people associated to them. Such mistreatment causes risk to the activities and health of the elder (Brown, 2011). It was concluded that female elders are abused more than males and this is why they tend to die earlier. Elders who have dementia are also at the risk of being abused because of their attitudes and behaviors. They might become a burden or a responsibility on the family members or the care takers. About 5.1 million elders in America have some kind of dementia. Other elders who are at risk are the ones who live in private homes or nursing homes. These elders are the ones who are mostly unemployed and are dependent on