Module 17: Patient or Resident Abuse

Section 1: Define Key Terminology

• Key Tasks:
  • Review terms in the terminology section.
  • Spell terms accurately.
  • Pronounce terms correctly.
  • Use terms in proper context.

Section 2: Types of Elder Abuse

• Definition of Abuse:

  • Intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or trusted person causing harm or risk to an older adult (age 60+).
  • Includes willful injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, refusal of necessary services.
  • Targets vulnerable older adults, often those dependent on others, with disabilities, memory or cognitive issues.

• Forms of Elder Abuse:

  1. Verbal: Teasing, profanity, racial slanders, threats.
  2. Physical: Battery (kicking, biting, hitting, shoving, rough handling).
  3. Psychological/Emotional: Ridiculing, hurtful words, ignoring, manipulation.
  4. Involuntary Seclusion: Isolation from friends and family.
  5. Abandonment: Leaving unattended, inadequate care planning.
  6. Neglect: Failure to provide reasonable care, hygiene issues.
  7. Sexual: Inappropriate gestures, touching, forced participation in sexual acts.
  8. Financial: Stealing money, forging checks, misuse of benefits.
  9. Health Care Fraud: Overcharging, falsifying claims, billing for unprovided care.

• Signs and Symptoms of Abuse:

  • New sleeping problems, depression, confusion, weight loss, trauma signs, withdrawal from activities, unexplained injuries, poor personal hygiene.

Section 3: Issues Related to Elder Abuse

• Definition Variability:

  • Defined by state, county, or research purposes.
  • All states require elder and child abuse reporting.

• Evidence and Observation:

  • Unsafe living conditions, poor hygiene, unexplained injuries, withdrawal, medication mismanagement.
  • Frequent ER visits, possibly seeking multiple doctors.

• Mandatory Reporting:

  • Nurse assistants are mandated reporters for elder abuse.

Section 4: Nurse Assistant’s Role

• Negligence:

  • Form of abuse due to lack of care.
  • Signs include unsafe living, hygiene issues, withdrawal.

• Prevention of Abuse:

  • Identify risk factors: mental illness, substance abuse, inadequate caregiving skills, financial dependence.
  • Implement safety and prevention techniques: monitoring, policies, training, resource coordination.

• Preventing Violations:

  • Provide caregiving services to alleviate burden.
  • Estate planning and personal information protection.
  • Mandated reporter role and self-care for caregivers.

• Caregiver Stress Management:

  • Ensure rest and personal care, seek help from family or friends.