I decided to do a group project with Michelle and Larche. We choose to do a project about the issue of the poor treatment of residents in nursing homes. Abuse and neglect is something that occurs a lot in nursing homes, but our society tries to keep this hidden from us. Even though this isn't a topic only about illness and dying, we decided to base our research project around abuse and neglect occurring in nursing homes because to us the treatment of the ill and near death is of concern; in addition we are willing to let others aware of this. This aspect of illness and dying doesn't fully connect to our unit since it mostly focused on what we are usually prone to seeing in hospitals, and what families and patients experience during illness and death. We decided to take an extra step forward from this idea and look into something specific, which in our case would be such the poor treatment of the ill and near death residents in nursing homes. There were a few resources from class that can connect to this specific aspect. I remember Beth stating that we keep death and illness removed from society by conserving it in hospitals. We also had a few class discussions that revolved around the approach to death and illness from society. This connects to our project because this also applies to abuse and neglect taking place in nursing homes. It is hidden from society just as the idea of illness and death is.
While doing research on the internet about abuse occurring in nursing homes, I found that it was pretty hard to find something worth citing. There wasn't much I was able to refer to on the internet besides hotlines residents can use in order to call to report a complaint at a nursing home. I was looking for some type of personal story or an account from a resident or a family member of the resident experiencing poor care in a nursing home. Much of what I came across discussed the issue of abuse and negligence occurring at nursing homes a nationwide concern; in addition not many of these accounts are being reported. After taking some more time to do research, I was able to come across a few news reports dating back at various times that discussed issues regarding the treatments of the aged and ill at nursing homes. Back in July, 31st 2001 a report claims that there are 1,600 nursing homes located in the US that have been cited for abuse. Around 5,283 were reported for abuse violations. Examples of the types of abuse residents had experienced were being choked, kicked, or punched by other residents or staff members. According to this story, abuse occurring in nursing homes is on the rise: "In 1996, 5.9 percent of all nursing homes were cited for an abuse violation during their annual inspections; in 2000, 16 percent of nursing homes were cited." (Whitaker, Bill)
In November 15th, 2004 a news report claims that sexual abuse is another form of abuse that occurs in nursing homes. The mother of Sandra Banning was sexually abused in a nursing home by an aged man who had a long 13 page list taking place as his criminal file. This proves that not much attention is given to the type of people that are being admitted as a resident in these nursing homes. They seem to be automatically admitted without any further research on whom they really are as a character. Knowing this may make a loved one or ill patient have second thoughts about becoming a resident to a nursing home. Without doing a proper research or a further background check on one, how will a nursing home be considered a sanctuary for an aged individual near death? Another account reported on December 2nd, 2008 claims that six teens were charged for abusing residents at a nursing home. They taunted residents until they screamed. This specific nursing home reports that 15 residents who had Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder were abused within 5 months.
At first our group decided to make a trip to a local nursing home and possibly be able to do an interview or a study there with residents and nurses. After making a few attempts to do so, we realized that this project of ours was not going the way we had planned. We called a few nursing homes prior to visiting, but the people who received our calls seemed to be hesitant to have volunteers come in and gather data for a study. While on the phone, we were told many times that it would not be possible for us to come in because the residents and the nurses would not like that. After placing a call to different places, we realized that time was running out and we had to make a quick decision. Later on we decided that it wouldn't be possible for us to visit a nursing home in time to use it for our project. So we decided to record a call we made so we can share it to the class. This specific conversation is me calling up a nursing home in the city and having a conversation with a lady in charge at the office of a nursing home. I asked her if it would be possible for us to make a visit and possibly witness a normal day of a resident, and ask a few questions with the nurses working there. But after making many attempts we gave up. This taught me that sometimes we have to accept no as an answer.
While taking a part of this interesting project I learned a number of things. Our society is very gullible; we trust individuals without making any attempt to learn much about them. Our society is too busy with unnecessary worries; we forget about making an attempt to learn about serious risk factors that may harm one later on. In this specific case people are willing to take a risk to put them self our a loved one in an institution with strangers who they have no clue where they come from and how big of a threat they may be. Some of the articles I read discussed that many of these residents fear of exposing these horrified accounts. It is usually their loved ones that make them do so. Not only does our society fear about exposing the idea of illness and death to the public, but we also have a fear of showing imperfection.
While taking a part of this project, I was able to see many things about dominant social practices surrounding illness and death in our society. While doing my own research, I was able to fully understand that none of us really want to happily accept the fact that we will all die. I was also able to learn about different reactions from our society when approaching an individual who is ill or near death. Usually we approach death with pity, but after researching on abuse at nursing homes I was able to look through a different angle. Hatred is also a form of approach in illness or death, but we never really expect that. Abuse and neglect occurring in nursing homes is something to be concerned about because we need to learn about the correct approach, if any to illness and death. People can respond to death and illness in many different ways; in this specific case with hatred. I was able to realize that we all have different reactions to everything. Even though approach to death and illness with hatred is not something that our society accepts, it occurs and not many are willing to accept it. There may be various triggers that can cause one to react with hatred towards an ill or near death patient and we may not be well aware of this. But one thing I am indeed sure of is that our society is weird, and we try our best to disguise it to be seen as normal.
http://www.nursing-home-abuse-resource.com/care_center/nursing_home_statistics.html
http://ag.ca.gov/bmfea/elder.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/30/national/main304038.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/15/eveningnews/main655704.shtml
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,460626,00.html
Amber,
ReplyDeleteThe best part of your writing was when you reflected on how our society was gullible. We make choices and decisions without background information on the people that will be affected by such choices. I chose Proofreading as the Modality; I feel as though you provided a lot of thought-provoking work. However, you should work on your transitions from paragraph to paragraph. Refrain from sentence starters such as "I remember..." You're missing some commas here and there. One thing that I would point out for future reference is to always end your paragraphs with a concluding sentence that somehow reconnects back to your overarching point/thesis. Ending a paragraph with only a quote makes it seem like a cliffhanger or rather, a quote without analysis.
Bianca
Amber,
ReplyDeleteThere was one part that really stood out while reading this. It was when you said: “Our society is too busy with unnecessary worries; we forget about making an attempt to learn about serious risk factors that may harm one later on. In this specific case people are willing to take a risk to put them self or a loved one in an institution with strangers who they have no clue where they come from and how big of a threat they may be.” You are right. As a community we believe that everything will turn out to be okay, but this is not always true. I think you chose to do your project on something that will raise awareness for a lot of people.
Nabil
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI read your post for depth and insight. I found myself shaking my head while reading your post, not because it is bad, but because it made me think about all the times I blindly trusted someone. That we find ourselves trusting people we don't know all the time, to make our food, to treat us while were sick, to teach us, and the list goes on and on. I think if something is insightful it gets you thinking. That's what your post does. It makes you think, what if this is happening to someone I know. Based off of your research there's a 16% chance it could be. It opens your eyes to things. This project had a lot of depth, as well as great insights.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI really liked this part of your post:
"While taking a part of this interesting project I learned a number of things. Our society is very gullible; we trust individuals without making any attempt to learn much about them. Our society is too busy with unnecessary worries; we forget about making an attempt to learn about serious risk factors that may harm one later on. In this specific case people are willing to take a risk to put them self our a loved one in an institution with strangers who they have no clue where they come from and how big of a threat they may be. Some of the articles I read discussed that many of these residents fear of exposing these horrified accounts. It is usually their loved ones that make them do so. Not only does our society fear about exposing the idea of illness and death to the public, but we also have a fear of showing imperfection."
I thought this summed up your point well - that people don't really know what goes on in nursing homes, and that they don't bother to check. It was also a good comment on how people tend to act. I didn't know a lot about neglect and abuse in nursing homes before reading your post, and before you gave your speech I hadn't even thought about it, so this really opened my eyes.