Elderly "Criminals?"
Who is a criminal? Is it the person who walks into a bank and robs it or the man who, with a sick wife and no money for her medicine, takes the medicine from the pharmacist's store without payment? Technically, both are criminals, but we have to remember that there are differences in the intent and, perhaps, that needs to be taken into consideration.
In psychology, we look at morality and how it is developed, but there have been some problems in this theory of moral development and now the question has to be asked if a moral person can commit a crime. Obviously, the answer is yes.
I read about an elderly 87-year-old woman riddled with pulmonary problems and needing constant oxygen and I was, again, brought back to the plight of those in need and who step over that moral boundary.
The woman in question must have felt intense stress, anxiety and fear as she did what she knew was wrong; sold her pain medication to drug addicts. Living on $500 a month must have forced the decision that pain would be her companion for the remainder of her life. I can believe she felt if she could endure more pain, perhaps she could afford something else she needed like fuel or food or her oxygen perhaps.
One man I heard about recently had to spend $2,000 a month on one medication and he couldn't afford it, so he just didn't take it. How could he have taken it? A physician I know has to spend over $1,000 on one medication she needs and it is not an easy task for her. Both have autoimmune disorders that are debilitating and strain the quality of their lives. The stress of paying for these vital medications, too, adds to the intensity of the symptoms they feel and their exacerbations of their illnesses.
The sheriff in this particular case finds himself and his deputies in a very stressful situation, he admits, because now they have criminals who need doctors, daily medical care and medications. It's job stress unlike anything he could have imagined. There's a ripple effect here.
The medical professionals, too, are feeling increased stress because they have to give the elderly drug screens to make sure they're taking their pain medications. Staffers have to call patients perhaps more often just to check up on them. Who would have thought that drug dealers would get such treatment? I'm not intending to be funny here, but it does seem a peculiar situation that the only way to receive more attentive help is to be thought guilty of committing a crime.
Not everyone feels the elderly involved are good people gone somewhat "bad." One man said they were just doing what their families always did, steal. He called it a "family tradition." So, we can malign them, jail them and mistrust them because they must be criminals. Not a happy thought.
Related Topics: Supplementing Medicare?, Medicare Benefits
Technorati Tags: seniorcriminals, seniors, stress, medicalcosts
In psychology, we look at morality and how it is developed, but there have been some problems in this theory of moral development and now the question has to be asked if a moral person can commit a crime. Obviously, the answer is yes.
I read about an elderly 87-year-old woman riddled with pulmonary problems and needing constant oxygen and I was, again, brought back to the plight of those in need and who step over that moral boundary.
The woman in question must have felt intense stress, anxiety and fear as she did what she knew was wrong; sold her pain medication to drug addicts. Living on $500 a month must have forced the decision that pain would be her companion for the remainder of her life. I can believe she felt if she could endure more pain, perhaps she could afford something else she needed like fuel or food or her oxygen perhaps.
One man I heard about recently had to spend $2,000 a month on one medication and he couldn't afford it, so he just didn't take it. How could he have taken it? A physician I know has to spend over $1,000 on one medication she needs and it is not an easy task for her. Both have autoimmune disorders that are debilitating and strain the quality of their lives. The stress of paying for these vital medications, too, adds to the intensity of the symptoms they feel and their exacerbations of their illnesses.
The sheriff in this particular case finds himself and his deputies in a very stressful situation, he admits, because now they have criminals who need doctors, daily medical care and medications. It's job stress unlike anything he could have imagined. There's a ripple effect here.
The medical professionals, too, are feeling increased stress because they have to give the elderly drug screens to make sure they're taking their pain medications. Staffers have to call patients perhaps more often just to check up on them. Who would have thought that drug dealers would get such treatment? I'm not intending to be funny here, but it does seem a peculiar situation that the only way to receive more attentive help is to be thought guilty of committing a crime.
Not everyone feels the elderly involved are good people gone somewhat "bad." One man said they were just doing what their families always did, steal. He called it a "family tradition." So, we can malign them, jail them and mistrust them because they must be criminals. Not a happy thought.
Related Topics: Supplementing Medicare?, Medicare Benefits
Technorati Tags: seniorcriminals, seniors, stress, medicalcosts
9 Comments:
Elderly committing crimes to provide themselves with the medication(s) their doctor(s) order are committing crimes of passion. They have a passion to take care of their health, themselves, their spouses.
It says more about our "classless" society than it does about criminal activity. It should not have to happen. Medicine is a huge business in this country; huge enough that no one should have to go without the medications they have been told they need.
It is sad. It is heartbreaking to think of an elderly woman selling her pain meds so she could have oxygen. It isn't immoral that she does that; it is immoral that the modern, wealthy society she is a part of forces her to make that choice.
~Tasker
I agree. We should be treating our ill and our elderly in a much better manner than we do. The elderly, in particular, made it possible for all of us to have the quality of life we enjoy today. We should never abandon them.
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They're both technically "criminals".
The thing is that some crimes are more forgiveable than others.
Eugene, I suppose that's true. Remember Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables? He was sentenced to 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of break.
I've seen elderly women in supermarkets taking food from the salad bar and eating as they walked away. Did I encourage or collude with them in this crime by not reporting them to the manager?
Yes, every "crime" must be considered in light of the circumstances.
Obviously, I meant "bread" not "break" but the computer was too quick for me.
mummy i really want fish and chips for lunch. come on its Easter, you know you want to. Its lunch time and i am very hungry and fish and chips are very yummy. Please!!!!!!!!!
Criminals come in all sizes, shapes, races, gender, AGES. If you don't want to do the time, then don't do the crime. Those who truly need and want help will receive help, if they ask for it.
A 75 year old man, not even an acquaintance, became obsessed with me, made frightening comments and sexual remarks, wouldn't leave me alone, and continues to drive by my home daily. Police thought I was crazy to be afraid even though the man looks much younger (I had no idea how old he is) and gets around better than me, but He's old enough to be my dad. Police said "he's just an old man" and "He probably just likes you".
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