Elder Abuse Flashcards
What is elder abuse?
Implies actions taken by caregiver, relative, or acquaintance causing injury or creating unmet needs. Acts of commission.
What is elder neglect?
Implies failure or refusal to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties to an elder. Acts of omission.
What is an informal caregiver?
Family member or friend whose assistance allows people to be able to live in the community. Unpaid care provided by family and/or friends.
What are 7 categories of elder abuse?
Financial Psychological/emotional Physical Neglect Medication abuse Sexual abuse Violation of rights
What are 5 theories of elder abuse?
Exchange Theory or Dependency Theory Political Economic Theory Situational Theory Transgenerational (Social Learning) Pathologic Personality Theory
What is the Exchange Theory or Dependency Theory of elder abuse?
Emphasizes care recipient’s dependency on others through physical or mental impairments.
What is the Political Economic Theory of elder abuse?
Changing roles via loss of independence and income.
What is the Situational Theory of elder abuse?
Care recipient viewed as source of stress to abuser (caregiver).
Unrelenting responsibility of chronically ill older person may trigger abuse.
What is the Transgenerational (Social Learning) Theory of elder abuse?
Violence as learned set of behaviours passed from generation to generation.
What is the Pathologic Personality Theory of elder abuse?
Focuses on abuser.
Low tolerance for frustration, passive-aggressive, sadistic tendencies, habitual use of aggression i.e. ineffective coping patters/marital or family conflict, substance abuser, mental illness.
What are two sources of primary stressors to informal caregivers?
Concrete manifestations of the caregiving situation
Issues within the caregiver
What are some examples of informal caregiver objective stressors: concrete manifestations of the caregiving situation?
Cognitive impairment, problematic behaviour, ADL dependency and resistance
What are some examples of informal caregiver subjective stressors: issues within the caregiver?
Unremitting feelings of entrapment, confinement, exhaustion, depression and burnout.
What are secondary stressors to informal caregivers?
The extent to which caregiving intrudes into non-care elements of Informal Caregiver’s life.
What are some examples of secondary stressors to informal caregivers?
Family conflict, work conflict, financial strain, intimacy, social availability
What can occur as a result of primary and secondary stressors to informal caregivers?
Primary and Secondary stressors together can result in a loss of self, loss of competence, a sense of hopelessness and depression.
What are some covert manifestations of psychological abuse?
Ambivalence, deference to caregiver.
Passivity, denial, mild anxiety, non-responsiveness, implausible stories when compared to their physical condition.
What are some overt manifestations of psychological abuse?
Isolation, trembling, cowering in presence of caregiver.
Confusion, anger, agitation when caregiver present.
Fearfulness, depression, helplessness, hopelessness, severe anxiety, nervous breakdown.
What are some manifestations of physical abuse?
Multiple injuries or fractures in various stages of healing.
Bruises in clusters or in shape of objects i.e. “wraparound injuries” or shape of belt buckles.
Bilateral or parallel injuries i.e. control or forceful restraining/shaking.
Burn marks i.e. soles of feet, palms
Sprains/dislocations
Unusual hair loss, swollen scalp, scalp hemorrhage
What are some manifestations of neglect?
Deteriorating health i.e. cachexia, wasting. Dehydration/malnutrition. Pressure ulcers or contractures. Excessive dirt or odor on body/clothing. Urine burns. Glasses, dentures, hearing aids, walking devices in poor repair or missing. Left alone or unsafe for long periods. Over or under medication.
What are some potential profiles/characteristics of the abused?
65 years or older Living with relatives or informal caregiver Females Isolated, lack of social contacts Physical or mental impairments
What are some potential profiles/characteristics of abusers?
Middle aged
Poor mental health, drug, or alcohol dependence
In same household as victim
Finacially of psycologically dependent on the victim
Often male, most often spouse (physical abuse)
Adults abused as children 20x likely to abuse.
History of aggressive episodes.
Feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, dependency
What are some questions that the nurse can ask an elderly patient to assess for elder abuse?
Did someone hurt you? Hit you?
Has anyone every touched you without your consent?
Does anyone slap you, pull your hair, touch you in a rough way or threaten to do these things to you?
What is financial abuse?
This is the improper use of an elderly person’s pension or finances.
