Elder Abuse, Neglect Make Early Death Far More Likely

In reading your article " Elder Abuse, Neglect Make Early Death Far More Likely", based on a the findings of the Aug. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association as stated in the article; I wonder if anyone has done this same type of research on seniors forced to stay at Nursing Homes by way of the Guardianship Court "finding" them incapacitated...( most of which are not)

Loneliness, the lack of the proper basic hygiene practices, inadequate feeding, dehydration, overly medicated with unnecessary psychotropic drugs, lack of proper clothing while at a room with too cold air conditioners, too hot or cold water baths, left alone while naked in the bathroom, humiliation, frustration, impotence to do anything about the situation even if they could under those conditions,is not only inhumane, but should be of great concern to the rest of the population. As someone who has lived through 5 years of watching my mother forced to live under the above conditions, I wonder, that the great finding is all about; this is blatantly happening in most institutionalized settings, which are supposed to be regulated by agencies such as the AHCA. So far, in close contact with numerous families who have had to deal with the adult protective services,I can safely say, that I would not report any kind of abuse to this agency, and in fact, would do away with it if it was in my power...they have not only fail to protect children, having lost numerous ones by the incompetency, uncaring, overloaded caseworkers, or by plain disregard to the responsibilities placed on them. so what do they do for those who are no longer producing for the society? what is the process by which they protect our seniors population? are there foster care for senior citizens? - not that they are any better than those they keep the children which are often raped, abused and killed in,,, If I was President Obama, I would close these institutions, which have proven to be nothing more, than a waste of the taxpayers money, and would provide a money incentive to those relatives, or friends who wanted to assume the responsibility of caring of an elder person, in order to keep them at home, with those they love and trust, without alienating them, and have them live their days, with dignity and the respect- innate to any human being.

I would suggest that anyone interested in information regarding elder abuse and exploitation, guardian abuse, nursing home abuse, etc. log in, and read about the numerous associations out there which are made up of families who have been victimize by the very system which is supposed to protect us. Be proactive, get the information, and write to your government officials and demand a change on the present laws, and make the judges the ultimate responsible person, for the horror they allowed to happened. No one is over the law. Judges are hired court officials who we pay and they owe us respect or let's take them out......

Maritza Torrent-Viola. of FL 10:15PM August 06, 2009