Lecture 13- Elder Abuse Flashcards
1
Q
Definition of mistreatment
A
- intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (intended or not) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder
2
Q
Forms of mistreatment of older adults
A
- physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- neglect- MOST COMMON
- Self-neglect
- Financial exploitation
- Sexual abuse
3
Q
Mistreatment does what to the risk of death?
A
INCREASES IT A LOT
4
Q
Risk factors for mistreatment of older adults
A
- Poverty
- Dependency for caregiving needs
- Age
- Race
- Functional disability
- Frailty
- Cognitive impairment
5
Q
Caregiver stress
A
- Level of care required may exceed caregiver’s ability
- Can increase likelihood of abuse- even if accidental
6
Q
Risk factors for abusive or inadequate caregivers
A
- cognitive impairment in patient and/or caregiver
- excessive dependency of the caregiver on the elder or of the elder on the caregiver
- Family conflict or family history of abusive behaivor, alcohol or drug misuse, mental illness, and developmental disability
- financial stress
- isolation
- inadequate living arrangements
7
Q
Signs of possible mistreatment
A
- clothing is inappropriate, soiled, or in disrepair
- Poor hygiene
- Deficient nutritional status
- Compromised skin integrity
- anxiety in presence of caregiver
- bruises- in specific areas - INNER arms or legs
- fractures in various healing stages
- burns
- repeated unexplained falls or injuries
- head injuries, hair loss, hemorrhages beneath skin surface
8
Q
Signs of psychologic abuse
A
- Impatience, irritability, or demeaning statements of caregiver
- Ambivalence of patient to caregiver, or high levels of anxiety, fearfulness, or anger
- Unexpected depression or withdrawal
- Lack of adherence to treatment regiment or frequently canceled appointments
- frequenting requests for sedating medication
9
Q
Signs of Neglect
A
- Contractures
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Depression
- Diarrhea, fecal impaction, or urine burns
- Failure to respond to obvious disease
- medication use is not corect
- repeated falls
- repeated hospital admission
10
Q
Signs of Financial Exploitation
A
- disparity between patient’s living conditions and his/her assests
- patient unable to account for money and pay for essential care autonomously
- unexplained loss of funds
11
Q
signs of abandonment
A
- Evidence that the patient is left alone without adequate arrangements for care.
- evidence of sudden withdrawal of care by caregiver
12
Q
Institutional mistreatment can be aggravated by…
A
- poor working conditions
- Low salaries
- Inadequate staff training and supervision
- Prejudiced attitudes
- Disruptive or insulting behavior by the older adult
- state dept. of public health in charge of investigating these
13
Q
Support for interventions
A
- Social work staff at hospital or medical group you are at or patient is living at
- State Adult Protective Services
- National adult Protective services
- National council on Elder abuse
