How to Assess Elder Abuse
According to Helpguide.org, thousands of elderly Americans experience abuse either at home or in a nursing facility. Elder abuse may be physical, emotional or sexual. It may also come in the form of abandonment, neglect (failing to meet basic needs) or exploitation (illegally misusing assets). The presence of a single sign may not indicate an abusive situation; however, there are ways to assess an elderly person's situation to determine if there may be ongoing abuse. Terry Fulmer's Elder Assessment Instrument provides a thorough means of evaluating various factors which may, combined, indicate a problem.
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Instructions
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Assess the elderly person's general appearance. Evaluate the patient's skin integrity. Are there any cuts or bruises? Evaluate hygiene, clothing and nutrition. Does he appear to be undernourished or unwashed?
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Look for signs of abuse. This includes bruises, burns, cuts or lacerations, skin abrasions or broken bones that may indicate physical abuse. Bruises occurring around the genitals or breasts may indicate sexual abuse. Personality changes, depression, withdrawal from regular activities or a change in mental alertness may indicate emotional abuse.
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Look for signs of neglect. This includes the presence of bedsores, dehydration, poor hygiene, depression, urine burns, malnutrition, unexplained weight loss and repeated hospitalizations due to improper health care.
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Examine her financial history. Some indicators of exploitation or financial abuse include a sudden change in the elderly person's finances, large withdrawals from her account, cash or valuables missing from her home, unpaid bills, the addition of other names to a credit card and sudden changes made to a will or other legal document.
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Observe the relationship between the patient and his caregiver. Strained relationships, numerous arguments and tension can be a sign of a larger problem. If you observe the caregiver (or another family member) making threats, belittling the elderly adult or exerting unnecessary power, this also may indicate emotional or verbal abuse. According to the Elder Assessment Instrument, abandonment indicators include the caregiver having withdrawn care without making other arrangements or if the elderly person is left unaccompanied in an unsafe environment (without proper heat, running water or electricity) for long stretches of time.
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Tips & Warnings
Doctors and health care workers should refer elderly patients to social services if there is any evidence that he is being mistreated or if there is a high risk of abuse.
If you or someone you know is being neglected, exploited or abused, reach out to someone whom you trust. Visit the website for Eldercare Locator, a service designed to connect seniors with community services or call 800-677-1116.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit elderly lady image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
