Elder Abuse and Neglect Flashcards
What is elder abuse?
The mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person, usually by a relative or other caregiver
Who is at the greatest risk for elder abuse?
The frail and/or isolated
What are the different types of elder abuse?
- Physical violence
- Threat of assault
- Verbal abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Physical or emotional neglect
- Sexual abuse
What percentage of the population will be 65 or older in the year 2020?
22%
Where does the majority of the elder abuse occur?
In the home
What are some physical symptoms of elder abuse?
- Changes in depth perception
- Confusion over when an event occurred
- Loss of control over bodily functions
- Hearing loss
What type of abuse is elder abuse compared to?
Child abuse
Who is the most common perpetrator of elder abuse?
The victim’s adult children
What are some common characteristics of elder abuse perpetrators?
- Adult children or spouses
- Male
- Past or current substance abuse
- Mental or physical health problems
- Trouble with the police
- Socially isolated
- Unemployed or have financial problems
- Experiencing major stress
Who are the most common perpetrators of financial exploitation?
Family members
What is the most common type of elder abuse?
Neglect
What are some risk factors for abuse?
- Low social support
- Dementia
- Functional impairment and poor physical health
- Woman
- Living with a large number of household members other than a spouse
- Lower income or poverty
What are some risk factors associated with financial exploitation?
- Need for ADL assistance
- Poor self rated health
- No spouse or partner
- African-American race
- Lower age
What are some causes of caregiver stress?
- Lack of skill in handling a frail person
- Unaware of community resources and respite programs
- Work outside the home
- Caring for children
- Filling household duties
- Caregivers own frailty
What is the common elements seen when interviewing both victims and offenders of elder abuse?
Denial
What are some educational points for elders that have been abused?
- Assault is a crime
- The abuse will increase in frequency and intensity, most likely
- The abuser needs help that the victim cannot provide
- Safety plan to get away the next time the situation becomes dangerous
- The abuser is responsible for the violence, not the victim
- The need for support from others
What law mandates reporting requirements of suspected elder abuse in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania older adult protective services act (OAPSA)
Where should caregivers report if serious physical harm is reported?
- The Department of aging
- Local law enforcement
How do you define an older adult in need of protective services?
An incapacitated older adult who is unable to perform or obtain services that are necessary to maintain physical or mental health, for which there is no responsible caretaker and who is at imminent risk of danger to his person or property
How do you define an incapacitated older adult?
- An older adult who, because of one or more functional limitations, needs the assistance of another person to perform or obtain services necessary to maintain physical or mental health
- The definitions of (in)capacity or (in)competence do not apply
What is the definition of decisional capacity?
Patient has the right to participate in care
- Understanding the decision/options
- Appreciate the risks and benefits
- Reasoning, understanding of the impact of the choice
For reporting purposes, who is considered an older adults?
60 years or older
Under what four conditions considered serious abuse would one make an immediate oral report to local police?
- Serious physical injury
- Serious bodily injury
- Sexual abuse
- Suspicious death
When should serious abuse be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of aging?
During the current business day, or if the incident occurs after normal business hours, at the opening of the next business day
