Elder Abuse Lecture Flashcards

Question

what are behavioral indicators of psychological/emotional elder abuse?

Answer 1

unexplained withdrawal from normal activities emotionally upset, agitated, withdrawn, and non-responsive exhibits unusual behavior usually attributed to dementia (sucking, biting, rocking) strained/tense relationships cowers in presence of the abuser threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior frequent arguments bw the caregiver and older adults

Answer 2

forced or unwanted sexual interactions of any kind with an older adult w/o consent that may include unwanted sexual contact, penetration, non-contact acts of sexual harassment

Answer 3

female, persons with physical/cognitive disabilities, or who lack social support and are isolated

Answer 4

bruises around breasts genital or anal pain, irritation, or bleeding bruises on external genitalia or inner thighs difficulty walking or sitting torn, stained, or bloody underclothing STDs

Answer 5

inappropriate sex-role relationship bw victim and suspect inappropriate, unusual, or aggressive behavior

Answer 6

unauthorized use of an elderly person's funds or property, either by a caregiver or an outside scam artist the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of resources

Answer 7

isolation lonliness recent loss physical or mental disabilities lack of familiarity with financial matters having fam members who are unemployed and/or have substance abuse probs

Answer 8

Sudden changes in a person’s financial situation Forging an older person’s signature Misuse/theft of money/possessions Identity theft Announcing a “prize” that the elder person won but must pay to claim Phone charities Investment fraud Depriving an older person of rightful access to, info about, or use of personal benefits, resources, belongings, or assets Promising lifelong care in exchange for money/property and not following through on the promise Confidence crimes (cons) or use of deception to gain the victim’s trust

Answer 9

Scams/deceptive acts Fraud or use of trickery, false pretense, or dishonest acts/statements for financial gain Telemarketing scams using deception, scare tactics, or exaggerated claims to get older individuals to send money Use victim’s credit card to make charges w/o authorization Use of coercion or deception to get an older person to sign a deed, will, or power of attorney Improper use of guardianship or power of attorney

Answer 10

Persons over age 50 control 70% of the nation’s wealth Many seniors don’t realize the value of their assets (homes that have markedly appreciated in value) Elders are likely to have disabilities that make them dependent on other for help Older individuals have predictable patterns (ie receiving monthly checks and are likely to have money on hand or need to go to the bank a predictable time) Severely impaired elders are less likely to take action against abusers as a result of illness or embarrassment Abusers may assume that frail victims won’t survive long enough to follow through on legal interventions or will not make convincing witnesses Some elders are unsophisticated about financial matters Advances in technology make managing finances more complicated

Answer 11

Substance abuse, gambling, or financial probs Stand to inherit and feel justified in taking what they believe is “almost” or “rightfully” theirs Fear that their older fam members will get sick and use up their savings, depriving the abuser of an inheritance Have had a negative relationship with the older person and feel a sense of “entitlement” Having negative feelings toward siblings or other fam members who they want to prevent from acquiring or inheriting the older person’s assets

Answer 12

Profess to love the older person (many offer marriage) Seek employment as personal care attendants, counselors, etc to gain access ID vulnerable persons by driving through neighborhoods to find persons who are alone and isolated ID recently widowed persons through death announcements Move from community to community to avoid being apprehended

Answer 13

Significant withdrawals or unusual activity from bank accounts or transfers bw accounts, ATM withdrawals that the older person can’t explain Bank statements and canceled checks no longer come to the elder’s home Suspicious signatures on checks or other documents Items/cash missing from the senior’s household Unpaid bills, eviction notices, or notices to discontinue utilities Absence of documentation about financial arrangements A caregiver expresses excessive interest in the amount of money being spent on the older person Implausible explanations given about the elderly’s finances by the elder or caregiver The elder individual is unaware or doesn’t understand financial arrangements that have been made for them New “best friends” Legal documents which the person didn’t understand at the time they signed it (POA)

Answer 14

Overcharge for services or products Use deceptive or unfair business practices Use positions of trust or respect to gain compliance

Answer 15

Failure of caregivers to fulfill their responsibilities to provide needed care and protect an elder from harm Failure to meet basic needs resulting in serious risk of compromised health and safety

Answer 16

Willful behavior Caregivers intentionally withholding care or necessities

Answer 17

Situations in which the caregiver is unable to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities as a result of illness/disability/stress/ignorance/lack of maturity/lack of resources

Answer 18

Neglect is the result of the older person refusing care

Answer 19

Fam members Paid attendants Caregivers who lack adequate skills, training, or energy Caregivers who are mentally ill, have alcohol/substance abuse/mental health probs

Answer 20

Persons with physical or mental disabilities who depend on others for care Persons with high care needs

Answer 21

Persons with mental health probs including substance abuse, dementia, and depression

Answer 22

Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration Untreated physical probs, including bed sores Unsanitary living conditions Being dirty or unbathed Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather Unsafe living conditions Desertion of the elder at a public place

Answer 23

Absence of necessities including food, water, heat Inadequate living environment evidenced by lack of utilities, sufficient space, and ventilation Animal or insect infestation Signs of med mismanagement Unsafe housing

Answer 24

Poor personal hygiene Soiled clothing, dirty nails/skin, matted or lice infested hair, odors, presence of feces or urine Unclothes or improperly clothed for the weather Bedsores Skin rashes Dehydration, evidenced by low urinary output, dry fragile skin, dry sore mouth, lack of energy, mental confusion Untreated medical or mental conditions including infections, soiled bandages, unattended fxs Absence of needed dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, walkers, WCs, braces, or commodes Exacerbation of chronic diseases despite a care plan Worsening of dementia

Answer 25

Express anger, frustration, or exhaustion Isolates the elders from the outside world Obviously lack caregiving skills Is unreasonably critical and/or dissatisfied with social and health care providers and changes providers frequent Refuses to apply for economic aid or services for the elder and resists help Hovering

Answer 26

Exhibits emotional distress such as crying, depression, or despair Has nightmares or difficulty sleeping Has had a sudden loss of appetite that is unrelated to a medical condition Is confused and disoriented Is emotionally numb, withdrawn, or detached Exhibits regressive behavior Exhibits self-destructive behavior Exhibits fear toward the caregiver Expresses unrealistic expectations about their care

Answer 27

Claiming care is adequate when it’s not Insisting that the situation will improve

Answer 28

Increased social isolation Decreased social resources Increased expenditure on services to compensate for resources through exploitation and to ID and rehab elder abuse victims

Answer 29

Ranges from $2.6-$36.5 billion annually

Answer 30

Most states have penalties for those who victimize older adults Increasingly law enforcement officers and prosecutors are trained on elder abuse and ways to use criminal and civil laws to bring abusers to justice

Answer 31

Listen to seniors and their caregivers Intervene when you suspect elder abuse Educate others about how to recognize and report elder abuse Watch for warning signs that might indicate elder abuse If you suspect abuse, report it take a look at the elder’s meds Watch for possible financial abuse Call and visit as often as you can Offer to stay with the elder so the caregiver can have a break on a regular basis

Answer 32

A local adult protective services office (typically area on aging) Long term ombudsman in nursing homes Police (for extenuating circumstances)

Answer 33

They may fear losing their only support They may fear more serious abuse They may be embarrassed They may fear losing their home or being sent to a long term care facility

Answer 34

Domiciliary care homes Assisted living residencies Residential adult treatment facilities Home health care organizations Long term care nursing facilities Older adult daily living centers Agency or organization providing care to care dependent individuals in their place of residence