Elder Abuse and End of Life Flashcards
True or False: There is no one universally accepted definition of abuse.
True
What are the most frequent forms of elderly abuse?
Verbal (9%), financial (3%), and physical (less than 1%)
What are the types of Elderly abuse?
- Physical (bodily harm)
- Emotional (psychological such as verbal hurtful words, yelling, threatening, ignoring or isolation)
- Neglect (caregiver fails to respond to needs)
- Abandonment (left alone without plan of care)
- Sexual (forced to watch or partake)
- Financial (money or belonging are stolen-forging checks, retirement or SS benefits, CC or bank accounts w/o consent)
What are the signs of elder Abuse?
Physical-injuries or trauma, bruising, emaciation
Behavioral-anger, helplessness, suicidal actions
Psychological-fear, anxiety, depression
Social-limited contacts, withdrawal
Others-trouble sleeping, messy look or unwashed hair or dirty clothes, develops preventable conditions
What can you do if you suspect Elder Abuse?
Report it to adult protective services, if there is immediate danger call 911
What is considered a “good death”?
- pain or discomfort free
- with those they love
- location or environment choice
How can PTs assist in a “good death”?
assist in pain reduction, optimizing function, and addressing quality life remaining
- safe mobility
- energy efficiency
- sleep quality
- stress
- respiratory function
- reduction in meds needed for pain
What are the physiologic signs of death?
- confusion, delirium, disorientation
- increased time sleeping
- anxiety, restlessness
- weakness, functional loss, fatigue
- reduction in BP, variable irregular heart rate
- rapid breathing with periods of apnea
- cool distal extremities
- no interest in food
- constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, reduced urine output
True or False: Chaplains or Priests are not part of the interdisciplinary team for treating patients who are in hospice care and close to death
False, death is a physical, psychological and spiritual event and chaplains as well as social workers and volunteers are all part of the interdisciplinary team
What is PT like in Hospice Care facilities?
Light Rehab (PT once a week or bi-weekly with slow and easy strengthening exercises and functional activities)
Rehab in reverse (assisting a pt and caregivers as mobility decreases which may just include bed mobility or assistive device training)
Skilled maintenance (maintain quality of life unable to be performed safely by other caregivers)
What is the Advance Directives document?
- also known as a living Will
- legal document that states patient’s desires in the event of imminent death
- appoints medical power of attorney (decision maker on the patient’s behalf if the patent becomes incapacitated)
- Optional element of orders for “do not resuscitate” note not required for hospice care (PTs must be aware of DNR)
