Please reply to the following discussions individually.
Each reply must be at least 150 words and meaningfully expand the discussion. Refer to
the attached grading rubic to meet the requirements when responding to the discussion
posts.
1. Posted by D. A
Forum 2: Elder Abuse
A human service issue in the current society is elderly abuse. The six different kind of
elder abuse are; physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and abandonment, or financial
exploitation (Martin,2018). Unfortunately, due to the rise of the geriatric population and
the exponential growth suspected to occur will cause elder abuse cases to rise. The U.S.
Census Bureau reports that by year 2030 the Baby Boomer generation, the largest
cohort, will all be over the age of 65 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Statistics show that
more women are abused than women, and that there has been a recent rise in cases in
institutional settings as well as domestic (Martin,2018).
A possible external factor for the amount of elderly abuse allegations and convictions
may be due to the caregiver burnout. A caregiver may be a family member, a hired nurse
or home care aide, or an individual working within a facility specified for geriatric care.
Caregivers in all settings are often overworked, understaffed, and unable to set aside
their bias and negative outside stressors to give the individual proper care. An internal
cause for elderly abuse may stem from sociocultural, psychological or physical issues
themselves. An individual may work in an institution or an individual’s home only because
of the financial gain or limited job opportunities. These reasons may cause an individual
to not show empathy for the patients they are caring for. Working with a crisis team and
now in a mental health facility, I have personally made reports to Adult Protective
Services to be further investigated, as well as seen first-hand how individuals in the
caregiver role are eager to leave their loved one in a facility to rid themselves of the
stress or difficult treatment. It is never okay for an individual to abuse or take advantage
of another anyone no matter the circumstances.
The Bible includes two scriptures that discuss this topic. There may be external forces
that lead individuals who neglect and abuse their elders, but Timothy 5:1-3 discusses the
respect that should be given to our elders. “Never speak harshly to an older man, but
appeal to him respectfully as you would your own father. Talk to younger men as you
would your own brother. Treat older women as you would your own mother, and treat
younger women with the purity as you would your own sisters. Take care of any widow
who has no one else to care for her” (Timothy 5:1-3, The New King James Version). I
included this scripture because although some of the elder population may have a
disability or an illness that makes caring for them difficult in many ways, but as elderly
population rises it is important to “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show
respect for the aged” (Leviticus 15:32, The New King James Version).
References
King James Bible. (2017) King James Bible Online. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
(Original work published 1769)
Martin, M. E. (2018). Introduction to human services: Through the eyes of practice
settings (4th
ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
2. Posted by M.T
Suicide
Suicide is a very serious issue with adolescents, veterans, Soldiers that are still in and
some of the elderly. “Suicides have increased among the general population, as of 2013
suicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults,
about 5,400 suicide attempts by kids in grades 7th to 12th grade,” (Martin, 2018, pg.
143). According to the World Health Organization global “deaths by suicide total nearly
793,000 individuals annually.” Here in the United States there were approximately 47,173
people died by suicide in 2017.” (George, B. J., Ribeiro, S., Lee-Tauler, S. Y., Bond, A.
E., Perera, K. U., Grammer, G., Weaver, J., & Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M. (2019))
In 2016 there were 21 suicide deaths per 100,000 active duty service members. We lose
at least 22 Soldiers in an hour per day to suicide. Soldiers who commit suicide have
PTSD, having nightmares, drug and alcohol abuse and problems with their relationship
with their spouse or significant others. Most of these Soldier’s had a buddy killed in action
and they either witnessed it, was with their buddy when they came under attack and has
nightmares of what they went through. Some Soldiers when they come home from
overseas have serious issues with their spouses and significant others. Some Soldiers if
they break up with their significant other and cannot handle the rejection, they end up
committing suicide using a pistol or rifle. Richardson (2018)
While serving in the military, these last two years have been very hard for me personally.
I lost two Soldiers to suicide. It is not easy losing a Soldier to suicide. The problem was
there were no warning signs that would have been noticed by their first line leader, or
another person in the unit. Most of the time a Soldiers behavior changes, he or she does
not show up for battle assembly, Soldier withdraws from their buddies and becomes very
quiet. The first Soldier hung himself in the bathroom and the second Soldier used a
shotgun and shot himself in the head. They both had their uniforms laid out, had their
music already set up and placed next to their uniforms. Both Soldiers were planning their
own suicide and were quiet about also both Soldiers fathers committed suicide. Both
Soldier committed suicide on the anniversary of their father’s deaths also.
I was called by my higher headquarters to go to California to go to the unit to deal with
the Soldiers family as the Casualty Assistant NCO. As a CAO, I had to pick up the
Soldier’s military equipment, start the benefits package for the Soldiers Insurance to the
beneficiary. Since going through a Soldier who committed suicide I take the well being of
my Soldiers very seriously. If they have a problem, and want to vent they have my
number and can call me at anytime. I have been woke up in the middle of the night
talking to a Soldier out of suicide, I have had Soldiers with personal problems call me and
we talk until the Soldier feels better about the issue or concern that is bothering them.
Suicide and suicidal ideation definition are the formation of thoughts about how someone
is going to take their own life or about the desire for one’s own death. Many people who
think about suicide go through this process. Suicidal gesture is a cry for help. The person
talks about suicide, it is a cry for help or attention. (Martin, 2018, pg. 143). When
adolescents have this type of behavior many people will not believe the person making
the comments, they are not taken seriously. When a person is making these
comment’s, they should be taken seriously because you do not know what frame of mind,
they are in. (Martin, 2018 pg.143)
Many people do not realize there are scriptures in the bible about suicide. Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth me wrongteth his own soul: all they that hate me love death (King
James, 2017) When someone commits suicide people who are religious believe that the
person will go to hell. Revelations 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving , and the
abominable, and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters , and all
liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death
References
King James Bible. (2017) King James
online https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-8-36...
King James Bible, (2017) King James
online https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-21...
Richardson, D. (2018) BMC Psychiatry 18:204 retrieved
from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1782-z
George, B. J., Ribeiro, S., Lee-Tauler, S. Y., Bond, A. E., Perera, K. U., Grammer, G.,
Weaver, J., & Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M. (2019). Demographic and Clinical
Characteristics of Military Service Members Hospitalized Following a Suicide Attempt
versus Suicide Ideation. International journal of environmental research and public
health, 16(18), 3274. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183274
Martin, M. E. (2018). Introduction to human services: Through the eyes of practice
settings (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
3. Posted by J. K
Affordable Housing
Affordable housing in America is becoming increasingly difficult to come across. The
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (2020) shows horrendous stats on affordable
housing; "Nationally, there is a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for our
nation's 11 million plus extremely low-income families. View The Gap There is no state or
county where a renter working full-time at minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom
apartment. View the Out of Reach Map, Seventy-five percent of all extremely low-income
families are severely cost-burdened, paying more than half their income on rent."
Furthermore, the affordable housing crisis is worrisome as the homelessness crisis
continues to rise. Sermons & Henry, 2010 (as cited in Martin, 2018) report that "Section
202 program has only 300,000 available units across the country, with only modest
increases in federal funding (the FY 2016 budget included only a 3 percent increase in
funding over the prior year)." Therefore, when considering the massive population that is
in need of housing but belong to a country with a significant lack of resources, it should
be very alarming.
There are many causes for the shortage of affordable housing, with a primary cause
being the transition in our current economy. As the tech-boom waves across America, it
is requiring more and more training and education for the American people (Martin,
2018). However, this education can be expensive and unattainable for most. Thus,
Americans are forced to settle for lower-income jobs and search tirelessly for affordable
housing. A vicious cycle is created between increased poverty and the need for
affordable housing. Many property managers are profit-obsessed and buy properties, fix
them up and raise the prices of the units oftentimes forcing people out of their homes as
well. Unfortunately, these aren't the only two issues to blame for the crisis. The mentally
ill and disabled population is severely affected as well. What's more, "The problem of
homelessness among the mentally ill population will not be resolved until sufficient long-
term housing assistance can be provided" (Martin, 2018, p. 195).
There are two biblical references to refer to in a manner of extending compassion to the
poor, and how we are commanded to look after the least, last and lost. Consider, first,
Proverbs 31:9 "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Our
culture is so quick to scoff at the "poor and needy," and not defend them at all. Next,
Matthew 25:35-40 documents Jesus saying this "35 For I was hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I
was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you
came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a
stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick
or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you
did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[b] you did it to me.’
We clearly see that it is our biblical duty to take care of the "least of these" and have
compassion for the needy. The right to property is a constitutional right that we have to
do a better job of making sure every American has the opportunity to ensure that right for
themselves.
Reference
Martin, Michelle E. Introduction to Human Services (Merrill Social Work and Human
Services) (p. 166). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.
The Problem. (2020). National Low Income Housing Coalition. Retrieved May 27, 2020,
from https://nlihc.org/explore-issues/why-we-care/probl...
HSCO 500
DISCUSSION BOARD REPLIES RUBRIC TEMPLATE (BASED ON 30 POINT TOTAL)
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Advanced (A- to A):
Satisfies criteria w/ excellence
Proficient (B- to B+):
Satisfies Criteria
Developing (C- to C+):
Satisfies most criteria
Below Expectations (F to
D+):
Does not satisfy criteria
Not
Present
Points
Earned
Content 70% (21 pts.)
Replies
20 – 21 pts.
Three replies that directly
address related threads;
Each reply is a unique
contribution that reflects
thoughtful analysis of topic
and thread
18 - 19 pts.
Three replies that
directly address related
threads;
Each reply contributes
to the discussion and
reflects an analysis of
topic and thread
16 - 17 pts.
Two replies that
address related
threads;
Each reply lacks
flow and content.
Replies are unclear
or confusing.
1 – 15pts.
One to two replies that
minimally address
related threads;
Each reply lacks
content. Discussion
points are unclear,
confusing or not
discussed at all.
0 points
Structure 30% (9 pts.)
Grammar,
spelling, APA
citation (if
applicable),
word count
9 pts.
Spelling and grammar are
correct. Sentences are
complete, clear, and concise.
Paragraphs contain
appropriately varied sentence
structures. Where applicable,
references are cited in current
APA format.
Minimum word count of 150
words is met or exceeded
8 pts.
Spelling and grammar
has some errors.
Sentences are presented
as well.
Paragraphs contain
some varied sentence
structures. Where
applicable, references
are cited with some
APA formatting
Minimum word count
of 150 words is met or
exceeded
7 pts.
Spelling and grammar
errors distract. Select
sentences are
incomplete or unclear.
Paragraphs include
varied sentence
structures. Where
applicable, references
are minimally cited in
current APA format.
Minimum word count
of 150 words is met.
1 - 6 pts.
Spelling and grammar
errors distract. Sentences
are incomplete or
unclear.
Paragraphs are poorly
formed. Where
applicable, references are
not cited in current APA
format.
Minimum word count of
150 words is not met.
0 points
Total
Running head: DISCUSSION 1
Discussion
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
DISCUSSION 2
Discussion
Elder Abuse
I enjoyed reading the post. The peer delves into abuse of the elderly in human services.
The elderly are considered to be a vulnerable population and their rights and interests are often
infringed by unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of their insufficiencies. One of the
takeaways is the growth of this population in the modern world and how growth could increase
the number of cases of abuse. As the population increases, there is a huge demand for geriatric
services. Due to this, some human services professionals have been taking advantage of the
elderly and exploiting them when offering some of the services that they require to lead a
meaningful and productive life. I think many of these instances are taking place because of
burnout among the human services professionals. Many professionals have too much workload
and this leads to instances where unethical conduct could be observed within the field of human
services.
Suicide
The post was very informative on suicide and detailed some of the vulnerable populations
that are more susceptible to commit suicide. The identified group are veterans or people who
have served in the military in the past. I think this is the case because the military does not offer
veterans enough cushion once they have left meaningful service. Some do not get treated for
issues such as PTSD and this has far-reaching impacts on their health and welfare.
Unemployment is also high among this population because many do not possess any meaningful
skills that can help in allowing them to be absorbed in the labor market. Due to issues such as
unaddressed PTSD, many veterans may develop suicidal thoughts and have dysfunctional
DISCUSSION 3
homes. These aspects only aggravate the matter. The best way to reduce suicide rates among
veterans is to address the root causes of these issues at the community level.
Affordable Housing
I liked the post and the manner in which the peer offers detailed information about issues
surrounding housing in the United States. It is perceived that the cost of housing in the country is
on the rise and this means that many people can no longer acquire affordable housing. The issue
has led to an increase in the number of homeless people in the recent past. Many low-income
households are spending more on rent or housing than any other cost in their lives. Such an
instance is unsustainable and could lead to more homeless people if the issue is not addressed.
Homelessness reduces the quality of life of people and can lead to even greater social problems
in society which would aggravate the issue. The peer uses two scriptures which can help foster
affordable housing. The scriptures are based on equal rights for everyone regardless of the
position they occupy.
