Read the case of Norman, a 77 year-old victim of elder abuse, and post your response to any two of the following questions:
What are some of the common legal needs of elderly clients like Norman who may be suffering from elder abuse or financial exploitation? Distinguish between Norman’s criminal and civil legal options.
What are some barriers that may impede Norman’s access to legal redress or representation?
What are Norman’s social or human services needs in this situation?
Samantha’s Post:
In the case of Norman, there are significant concerns regarding domestic violence and elder abuse within his home. Norman is also a victim of financial exploitation. Due to these issues, Norman has several social and human services needs that should be addressed, as well as legal proceedings that should follow. According to the Office of Senior Services in Schuylkill County, PA, this agency âexists to assist older adults in leading independent, meaningful, and dignified livesâ (Schuylkill OSS, 2021). A local office of aging can assist by providing an assessment for services, care management for the individual, and protective services for individuals who are mentally or physically incapable of protecting themselves from abuse/neglect.
In Normanâs situation, while he may still be mentally capable of caring for himself, it seems as though he is easily persuaded by the other individuals in his home. Norman is often verbally, mentally, and physically abused. In the past, Norman has been unable to remain outside of the home for long periods of time and is mistreated within the home. With the assistance and support of a worker in the Office of Aging, the office can file a claim with an Ombudsman, who will do a thorough investigation of the abuse within the home. Norman can pursue a Protection from Abuse order, which should remove his children from the home, rather than himself. According to Slater and Fink, âduring the course of an investigation, child and adult protective service investigators may decide to petition the court to order family involvement in safety plans or to order the childrenâs or adults, removal from their homes, or in some cases group homes or institutions, for their safetyâ (2012). In certain cases, the police are called in and a district attorney can file criminal charges. Civilly, Normanâs case can be referred to Family Court. Both in civil and criminal court, Norman has the right to an attorney.
Unlike the past, with the support of a worker within the Office of Aging, Norman can commit to a better life for himself. In addition, Normanâs wife can gain a better understanding of his needs, as well as their needs as a couple moving forward. The Office of Aging can also provide resources to the family as a whole, to alleviate domestic violence in the future.
Elderly abuse is a general term for cruelty such as physical abuse, negligence, psychological abuse as well as financial exploitation. In the case of Norman, we have observed all those forms of violation for the elderly, namely, emotional abuse, unfair treatment, negligence, physical abuse as well as exploitation. So those are some of the legal needs that Norman should receive since the outcome of such physical and emotional abuse could lead to risk factors such as dementia, isolation as we have seen, physical impairment, and many others.
Some of the barriers that may impede Normanâs legal representation include dismissal by the prosecutor against his charges, lack of a proper legal representation team, bias by the jurors, and failure of witness protection. Norman as an elderly person should be protected from domestic violence and all forms of elderly abuse. It is clear that at his old age all he should be getting from his family members is care and love to reciprocate back what he has given to them. The old folk has worked hard all his life to provide for his family and make sure that they never lack.
The fact that the two sons of Norman physically abuse and financially exploit him, thatâs an offense to a fellow man and itâs a civil offense. Among the social and human services that Norman needs include healthcare services, counseling, legal lobbying as well as temporary food and shelter assistance. Having labored for many years, Norman needs fair treatment by his family. As a case manager, I would seek Normanâs legal protection as well as lobby for proper healthcare services and counseling to help him overcome the emotional abuse by his family.
Sample Solution
GET ANSWER
Is this question part of your Assignment?
We can help
Our aim is to help you get A+ grades on your Coursework.
We handle assignments in a multiplicity of subject areas including Admission Essays, General Essays, Case Studies, Coursework, Dissertations, Editing, Research Papers, and Research proposals
Header Button Label: Get Started NowGet Started Header Button Label: View writing samplesView writing samples