Elder Abuse :( Flashcards
define elder abuse
Intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that lead to harm of a vulnerable elder
Who is at elevated risk of elder abuse (7)
- Women
- 80-85+
- Isolated
- Cognitive impairments or mental health issues
- Home with a hx of domestic violence
- Caregivers: caregiver stress, mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse
- Caregiver is dependent on the elder
Four most prevalent types of elder abuse
- Neglect (58%)
- Physical abuse (16%)
- Financial exploitation (12%)
- Emotional abuse (7%)
Define active neglect
- Behavior that is willful, caregiver intentionally withholds care or necessities
- May be motivated by financial gain or reflect interpersonal conflicts
Define passive neglect
Situations in which caregiver is unable to fill his/her caregiving responsibilities due to illness, disability, stress, ignorance, lack of maturity, lack of resources
7 signs of neglect
- Sunken eyes
- Weight loss
- Extreme thirst or dehydration
- Pressure ulcers/bed sores
- Filth
- Lack of medical care
- Malnutrition
9 signs of self-neglect
- Hoarding
- Medication non-compliance
- Refusal to seek medical attention
- Un-safe behavior (driving, walking without a wheelchair)
- Poor hygiene
- Not wearing suitable clothing for winter
- Confusion
- Inability to attend to housekeeping
- Malnutrition/dehydration
8 Signs of physical abuse
- Physical force or violence
- Results in bodily injury, pain, impairment
- Includes assault, battery, inappropriate restraint
- Bruises/grip marks on arms or neck
- Rope marks/welts on wrist/ankles
- Repeated, unexplained injuries
- Dismissive attitude/statements about injuries (eldery person or caregiver)
- Refusal to go to same ED for repeated injuries
9 types of financial abuse
- Taking money or property
- Forging signature
- Getting older person to sign deed, will, PoA through deception, coercion, undue influence
- Using property or possessions without permission
- Promising lifelong care in exchange for money/property and not following through
- Confidence crimes (“cons”): deception to gain confidence
- Scams – fraudulent or deceptive acts
- Fraud: deception/trickery for financial gain
- Telemarketing scams – deception, scare tactics, exaggerated claims to receive money. May make take charges against cc without authorization
6 signs of financial abuse
- Theft of debit/credit card
- Large withdrawal from bank account, switching accounts, unusual ATM activity
- Sig on checks don’t match elderly’s signature
- Altered wills/trusts
- Checks written as loans or gifts
- Loss of property
7 signs of emotional and psychological abuse
- Uncommunicative, unresponsive
- Unreasonably fearful or suspicious
- Lacks interest in social contacts
- Withdraws from normal activities
- Chronic physical or psychiatric health problems
- Evasive
Two screening tools used to ID elder abuse
- Elder abuse suspicion index (EASI)
2. Indicators of abuse (IOA) screen
4 key questions to ask before defining a course of action when elder abuse is suspected
- How safe is the patient if I send him/her back to current setting
- What services/resources are available to help a stressed family
- Does the person need to be removed to a safe environment
- Does this situation need an unbiased advocate to monitor the care and finances for this patient?
Define the reporting responsibility of PA in OK if elder abuse is suspected
Report suspected mistreatment to state authority
