Page 172 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

ELDER MiSTREATMENT n 139

toward the development of support and self- disordered eating need to be enhanced; and a
help groups for all women suffering from deeper understanding of cultural and social
eating disorders. The formation of gender systems is necessary to gain a broader and E
responsive support groups has the poten- more inclusive perspective of eating disor-
tial to alleviate feelings of shame and isola- ders (Patching & Lawler, 2009) particularly in
tion (Rortveit, Astrom, & Severinsson, 2009). light of their rampant globalization (Watters,
Efforts should focus not only on recognition 2010). And finally, future research should
and treatment of eating disorders but also examine disordered eating from a life span
toward their prevention (Patching & Lawler, approach, which is a vital next step toward
2009). A more comprehensive understand- the prevention, detection, and early treat-
ing into the role of media influence and its ment of eating disorders (Dichter, Cohen, &
relation to eating disorders requires fur- Connolly, 2002; Patrick & Stahl, 2009).
ther investigation (Vitale et al., 2009). Future
research efforts also need to determine why Deborah B. Fahs
some women perceive bulimia as normal Barbara J. Guthrie
behavior and therefore do not seek medical
attention (Broussard, 2005).
Strategies aimed at encouraging patients
to seek treatment and engage them as active ElDEr MistrEatMEnt
participants in their own care are crucial
(Kreipe & Yussman, 2003). Critical to this
process is the nature and quality of relation- Elder mistreatment (EM) is a complex syn-
ship between the woman and her health care drome that can lead to morbid or even fatal
provider. More specifically, the health care outcomes for those afflicted. Mistreatment
provider’s attitude and approach has been is the term used to describe outcomes from
found to have a positive influence on suc- such actions as abuse, neglect, exploitation,
cessful treatment (Geller, Brown, Zaitsoff, and abandonment of the elderly, and it affects
Goodrich, & Hastings, 2003). The health care all socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and reli-
provider should be open to conducting phys- gious groups. Prevalence estimates range
ical and mental health assessments and fam- between 3.2% and 27.5% in general popula-
ily history that include questions related to tion studies (Cooper, Selwood, & Livingston,
perception of self-esteem, perception of ideal 2009). A recent data reported from a national
and real body image, and most importantly sample of community-residing adults older
a family or personal history of disordered than 60 years using a representative sam-
eating. The information generated from the ple and random-digit dialing indicated that
assessment and family history should be 11.4% of older adults report some form of
used to tailor a plan of care. EM (Acierno et al., 2010). The national Elder
As evidenced by the documented inci- Abuse incidence Study, the only incidence
dence, prevalence, and mortality rates, disor- study, documented over 500,000 new cases
dered eating is not decreasing but rather is annually (Tatara, 1993).
steadily increasing across gender, age, ethnic The National Research Council (NRC,
background, and social positions. The rising 2003) convened an expert panel to review
cost and the conflicting evidence regarding prevalence and risk for elder abuse and neglect
curative approaches mandates the following: and concluded that EM is an intentional action
An anticipatory and preventive approach that causes harm or creates a serious risk of
must be considered; primary health care harm (whether or not the harm is intended)
provider’s knowledge and skills related to to an at-risk elder by a caregiver or other per-
understanding, recognizing, and treating son who stands in a trusting relationship to