Elder Abuse

Question 1

Elder Abuse

Answer 1

Elder abuse encompasses many forms of mistreatment and abusive behaviors. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) estimates that 1 in 6 people over the age of 60 have experienced abuse. Rates of elder abuse are higher in institutions; two in three staff members report they have perpetrated abuse. Elder abuse rates in the community increased by as much as 84% during the COVID-19 pandemic (Chang, & Levy, 2021). With the aging population, it is of critical importance to obtain a thorough history, complete a well-performed examination, report suspected abuse, and be aware of the state laws.

Question 2

Review: cognitive impairment, sharing expenses with other members living in the household, shared living environment

Answer 2

Treatment involves intervention and reporting of abuse. Many states have mandatory reporting laws for a reasonable suspicion of elder abuse. The family nurse practitioner must be familiar with state reporting requirements.

Question 3

Documentation of the signs of abuse include:

Answer 3

written history
body diagram
photo documentation

Question 4

Psychological abuse

Answer 4

o infliction of pain or distress via verbal or nonverbal means

o examples: threats, isolation, humiliation

Question 5

Sexual Abuse

Answer 5

o non-consensual sexual contact or interaction of any kind with a vulnerable elder

o examples: forced sexual activity, suggestive talk, nonconsenting touch

Question 6

Financial Exploitation

Answer 6

illegal or improper use of a vulnerable elder’s property, funds, or assets

examples: theft, coercion to deprive assets

Question 7

Neglect

Answer 7

o refusal or failure of those responsible, to provide life necessities for a vulnerable elder
o can be self-neglect
o examples: failure to provide food, medications, medical care, hygiene

Question 8

Abandonment

Answer 8

o desertion of a vulnerable elder by the person who assumed responsibility for that elder
o examples: failure to designate a caregiver

Question 9

Physical Abuse

Answer 9

o physical force resulting in physical injury, pain, or impairment to a vulnerable

o examples: hitting, force-feeding, use of unordered restraints

Question 10

Barriers in Recognizing Elder Abuse

Answer 10

 unfamiliarity with elder signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect
 attribution of the client’s presentation to a medical condition or disease process
 time constraints
 denial that abuse is occurring
 unfamiliarity with mandatory reporting laws
 unfamiliarity with available resources
 unfamiliarity with screening tools

Question 11

1. Subtypes of elder mistreatment include:

a. Psychological mistreatment
b. Physical mistreatment
c. Sexual mistreatment
d. Financial exploitation
e. All of these

Answer 11

e. All of these

Question 12

2. Risk factors for elder mistreatment include all except:

a. Physical disability of patient
b. Dementia of patient
c. Caregiver burden
d. Substance abuse of caregiver
e. Financial independence of the caregiver

Answer 12

e. Financial independence of the caregiver

Question 13

3. Barriers to detecting elder mistreatment include all except:

a. The tendency for many older adults to falsely claim they are being abused
b. The fear that one might be institutionalized if one admits to being abused
c. The shame that older adults feel if they have been a victim of abuse
d. The difficulty that healthcare providers have making a determination regarding abuse if the victim has a dementia

Answer 13

a. The tendency for many older adults to falsely claim they are being abused