Elder Abuse Flashcards
Define Elder Abuse
Infliction of physical or mental injury
The deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, or services necessary to maintain the physical or mental health of an older person or persons with a developmental disability with lawful authority
Define Elder or Senior Citizens
Person who is 60+ years of age or older
Define Vulnerable Adult
Person age 60 or older who is being abused neglected or exploited
Or per 18+ if person has a disability
Define Victim
Person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action
Define Perpetrators
Person who commits physical, financial, emotional abuse towards an elder
Risk Factors of Victims of Elder Abuse
Age Social isolation Extreme dependence & frailty Severe mental and/or physical illness Female gender Low to modest financial resources
Barriers to Reporting Elder Abuse
Fear Protecting the abuser Social isolation Self-blame/denial Inability to report: mental or physical impairments
Red Flags in Senior Citizens
Personality changes
Sudden physical changes in appearance & abilities
They seem nervous or afraid
Confusion about transactions or withdrawals
Unable to remember signing documents
Property is transferred or missing
Level of care they are receiving is inconsistent with their resources
Signs of substance abuse
Who are the alleged perps?
Opportunists
Predators
Persons known or unknown to the victim
Perpetrators Unknown to the Victim
Sweepstakes or lottery scams Annuity scams Charity scams Home repair scams Telemarketing scams Identity theft Sweetheart swindles & fortune telling schemes Predatory lending
Define Physical Abuse
Physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment
Behaviors in a Physically Abusive Relationships
Delay between onset of injury & seeking medical care
Common Perpetrators of Physical Abuse
Family
Children
Spouse
Intimate partners trying to gain control over victim
Questions to Ask Someone who is Physically Abused
Safe at home?
Afraid of anyone?
Made to stay in your room or left alone often?
Define Domestic Violence
Escalating pattern of violence or intimidation by an intimate partner, which is to gain power and control
Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Spouse or partners
Indicators of Domestic Violence
Intense confusion & disassociation
Questions to Ask Someone who is Domestic Violence
Does anyone threaten to hurt or abuse you?
What are the top 3 concerns for safety in your home?
Define Sexual Abuse
Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person
Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse
Caregivers
Family members
Facility residents
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
Fear of being touched
Strange bruising
Unexplained STD
Questions to Ask Someone who is Being Sexually Abused
Does anyone force you to have sex or make you do things that make you feel uncomfortable?
Define Neglect
Failure to fulfill a person’s obligations or duties to an elder
Define Self-Neglect
Failure by oneself to provide goods or services to avoid serious threat to physical or mental health
Perpetrators of Neglect
Family members
Caregivers
Acquaintances
Indicators of Physical Neglect
Unclean
Question to Ask Someone who is Being Neglected
Tell me about your hygiene schedule
Indicators of Self Neglect
Isolated: no family contact
Questions to Ask Someone who has Self Neglect
Who does the shopping or prepares your meals?
Do you get out often with family or friends?
Why do people hoard?
Extreme emotional attachment Difficulty with decision making Perfectionism Responsibility Fear of making a mistake
Define Hoarding
Condition of the home may prevent repairs from taking
Possible loss of heat, running water, electricity, & refrigeration
Social services not able to provide services
Greater risk for falls
Medical emergency teams unable to gain access to home
Define Psychological/Verbal Abuse
Infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct
Perpetrators of Psychological/Verbal Abuse
Family
Caregivers
Indicators of Psychological/Verbal Abuse
Weight loss
No eye contact when asking questions
Question for Psychological/Verbal Abuse
Are you afraid of anyone?
Define Financial Exploitation
Illegal or improper use of an older persons funds, property or resources
Perpetrators of Financial Exploitation
Family members
Scammer
Indicators of Financial Exploitation
Concerned about costs
Question to ask Someone who is Being Financially Exploited
Who handles your checkbook
Define Decisional Capacity
Ability to adequately process information in order to make a decision based on that information
Factors that May Affect Mental Capacity
Illness or disease
Treatable factors: poor nutrition/malnutrition, dehydration, depression, medication interactions, & sleep deprivation
Time of day
Define Undue Influence
Persuasion, pressure, or influence short of actual force, but stronger than mere advice, that so overpowers the dominated party’s free will or judgement that he or she cannot act intelligently & voluntarily, but acts, instead, subject to the will or purposes of the dominating party
How does undue influence work?
Victim & exploiter in an ongoing relationship
Exploiters target & groom their victims
Exploiters are generally subtle in exploitation of their victims
Exploiters often charming manipulators
Exploiters justify their actions through excuses
Victims often appear as willing participants
Define Consent
When someone accepts or agrees to something that somebody else proposes
Person needs to have sufficient mental capacity to understand the implications & ramifications of his or hers actions
Legal Elements of Consent
Mental capacity
Knowledge of the true nature of the act/transaction
Act freely & voluntary
Why are patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s ideal for financial exploitation?
Unable to report
May not be believed
May not be able to recognize financial exploitation
Define Polyvictimization
Exposure to multiple types of violence or victimization
Define Guardianship
Legal process, utilized when a person can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about his/her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence
What happens when you make a referral to adult protective services?
Conduct investigation Solicit victim cooperation Conduct interviews Functional & cognitive assessments Release of information Review records Compile evidence Discuss/coordinate services Refer to law enforcement
Reporting Agencies
Adult protective services
Law enforcement
Long term care ombudsman
