In your local newspaper, an article was written about the crimes and  harms perpetrated against the older population and the lack of  protection for many of them. The article ends with the question, “Who is responsible for protecting these individuals?”

Write a properly formatted 1,050- to 1,400-word  letter to the Editor answering that question from the perspective of an  aging professional or employee working in the long-term care field.  Limit citations as this is a Letter to your local Editor, not a research  paper.  Write a real letter to your Editor with relative information to  your locale.

    In your letter, address the following:

• Analyze the responsibilities of individuals for protecting the rights of older adults. Consider the following:
  • When should families be responsible for related older adults? When  should they not? Does this only pertain to immediate family members?
  • When should friends or acquaintances be responsible? What if their choices go against the family’s wishes?
  • When should hospitals, community service organizations, or other  long-term care facilities be allowed to make major decisions for older  adults?
  • When should the government be responsible for making important  decisions? How involved should the government be in protecting the  individual?
  • Is there ever a circumstance when an older adult does not need  outside protection? When would that be? Explain your answer. Be  specific. 

         *Clarify basic differences between a  public, non-profit, and for profit LTC facility and include how and why  Administrators are responsible for protecting the elderly residents in  their facilities.  Be clear and use information we have discussed along  the way regarding NHAs.                  

• Analyze the prevalence of abuses against the aging population. Include:
  • A description of 3 specific types of elder abuse.
  • Statistics to support your claims of the prevalence (this can be  from your city, state, or nation-wide statistical data). Cite the source  used for your statistical data.
• Evaluate the effects of fraud on the aging population and the long-term care system.
  • Consider the financial implications on individuals, organizations, and the health care system.
• Analyze Elder Law Services.
  • How can these services help protect the rights of older adults?
• Determine the role of advocacy in protecting the rights of older adults. Consider the following:
  • What advocacy services are available for older adults? Does everyone  have the same access to these services? Explain why or why not.
  • How effective are advocacy services at protecting the rights of older adults?

Format your assignment properly according to APA  guidelines. Do not simply bullet and answer questions, respond in letter  form.  Limit citations from References to 1 or 2 as this is a Letter to  your Local Newspaper Editor, not a research paper.  

Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.