Elder Abuse in the Health Care Field

            Many people involved in the health care field do not understand the importance of displaying unconditional love. When choosing a profession, you have to evaluate yourself and come to an agreement with yourself. If you do not have patient while waiting in the grocery line, then chances are you will not have patients waiting on the elderly. Often, people choose a career based on bucks. Numerous amount of citizen enter into the nursing field to make more money to idolize more material possessions. Their selfish desires are not heartfelt passions. You must have a passion to do a job with love and care. There are so many abuse cases bought about every day. The elderly is constantly exposed to danger. These people do not care about the person at hand. They care more about their pay checks, their bills, or their personal desires. If a person does not honor God, he or she is powerless of having the kind of love for people that is required to work in the medical arena. .
             Every year hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 65 are neglected, abused, and/or exploited by family members and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes elder abuse as an epidemic and a major public health issue because of associated pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. The personal costs of elder abuse are catastrophic and include loss of independence, health, security, and dignity. Unfortunately, the problem of elder abuse is likely to get worse as the percentage of older adults increases.
             As many as 5 million older adults are abused in the United States annually and approximately 85% of these cases are never reported. Most elder abuse victims are female and about 40% are over the age of 80. Although the vast majority of elder abuse occurs in the home, it also takes place in extended care facilities and assisted living facilities.
             Elder abuse is an umbrella term that refers to any "intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult".