Senior Abuse

The collective goal of most senior care agencies is to provide for the safety, dignity and joy of those entrusted to their care.

With that being said, there is no senior care community that is perfect, regardless of the monthly rate charged.  Hiring and retaining qualified senior care assistants is an on-going challenge for these communities given the low pay they are generally offered. Staff turnover is high. COVID has created all sorts of serious issues to that retention, resulting in a major reduction in the senior care work force. That workforce reduction negatively impacts the care our beloved seniors receive on a daily basis. When such staff are overburdened, frustrated, stressed, exhausted, underpaid and/or not valued, the senior takes the brunt of that stress.

Senior abuse can never be an acceptable norm, regardless of the circumstances. Those in the industry who abuse our most vulnerable population need to be held criminally liable. Those in authority positions who condone it by looking the other way and not filing a report with the proper authorities are equally liable.

Elder abuse is the infliction of harm on an older adult, 60 and older. For every elder abuse case reported there are 10 unreported. According to the National Adult Maltreatment Report System database, elder abuse can be:

Abandonment happens when the caregiver deserts (leaves) a dependent person.

Caregiver neglect happens when a family or other paid caregiver refuses or fails to give an older person basic needs; examples include not providing enough food, shelter, medicine, or assistance with daily living activities; neglect also includes not paying bills or managing money responsibility (if those tasks are part of the caregiver’s duties).

Emotional or psychological abuse causing severe upset, emotional pain or suffering on purpose; abuse can range from name calling or giving the “silent treatment’ to intimidating (scaring) or threatening the older person; examples include verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, harassment and isolation from friends and regular activities.

Financial abuse or material exploitation makes up 35% of elder abuse cases; financial abuse or material exploitation happens when someone takes an older person’s money or belongings without permission; Red flags: large withdrawals from bank accounts, switching accounts, unusual ATM activity or when signatures on checks do not match elder’s signature.

Physical Abuse is the use of physical force to cause pain or injury. This includes, but is not limited to, slapping, punching, shoving, pushing/pulling, pinching/biting, severe beatings, burning, restraining with ropes or chains.

Sexual Abuse is sexual contact of any kind without permission of the elder person; abuse can range from sexual exhibition to rape; this is not reported often as a type of elder abuse; Red flags: vaginal infections, unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding, torn or bloody underwear or bruised breasts.

If you think an older patient is possibly being abused:

Provide a setting where the person will feel safe talking about the situation.

Provide  for a physical exam

If the patient has memory loss issues or is unable to answer questions, observe the interactions of the patient in the presence of suspect caregiver.

HOW TO REPORT:

Healthcare workers have a duty to recognize and report older adults at risk for abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This is a law in most states.

Contact Adult protective services or an elder abuse hotline in your county.

Contact your county’s Senior Ombudsman

Report to Local Law Enforcement Agency  if there is any allegation of abuse and any reasonable suspicion of a crime: 2 hour limit, if abuse results in serious bodily injury; 24 hours, all others

Follow facilities reporting policies:

Acute Care: Notify attending nurse and/or Clinical Care management involved in the patient’s care

Skilled Nursing facility: Notify the Administrator or Director of Nursing, County or State senior ombudsman and department of senior services.

Healthcare facilities are required by law to report abuse, including elder abuse,  to officials including the State Survey Agency and Adult Protective Services, in accordance with the state law through established procedures.