Transcript Elder Abuse - Warren Township, New Jersey

Elder Abuse
The Forgotten Side of
Domestic Violence
Kay Hurd, RN, MSN
Who Is Being Abused
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The US has:
 44 million persons age 60+.
 36 million people with disabilities.
364,512 cases of people living at home were
reported with 43% confirmed.
In the last 10 years abuse of elder persons has
increases 150+%.
Domestic Elder Abuse is a family problem,
almost 90% of the abusers were family
members.
Who Are The Abusers
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More than 2/3rds of the abusers
are family members of the
victims and are typically serving
in the care-giving role.
Risk Factors
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Domestic Violence grown old.
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A partnership in which one member of the
couple has traditionally exerted power and
control over the other through emotional
abuse, physical violence and threats,
isolation and other tactics.
Risk Factors - Continued
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Personal problems of the abusers.
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Adult children who are still dependant upon
parent for financial assistance, housing or
other means of support.
Mental Illness.
Substance Abuse.
Risk Factors - Continued
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Caregiver stress.
Cycle of violence is learned behavior
transmitted from one generation to the next.
Personal characteristics of the elder.
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Dementia.
Disruptive behavior.
Problematic personality traits.
Significant needs of assistance.
Amendments
to Older Americans Act
First appeared in 1987
and
Provided Definitions
Domestic Elder Abuse
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Domestic Abuse Grown Old.
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Maltreatment of an older person by
someone who has a special relationship
with the elder. (e.g. spouse, sibling, child,
friend, caregiver).
Spouses make up a large % of elder
abusers. Partnerships in which one
member of a couple has traditionally tried
to exert power and control over the other.
Institutional Elder Abuse
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Abuse that occurs in residential facilities
for older persons. (e.g. nursing homes,
foster homes, group homes, board and
care facilities.
Abusers are persons who have legal or
contractual obligation to provide elder
victims with care and protection. (e.g.
staff, professionals, paid caregivers).
Self-neglect – Self-abuse
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Self Neglect is behavior of an elderly
person that threatens his/her own
health/safety.
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*Self-neglect EXCLUDES a situation in which a
mentally competent person who understands
the consequences of his/her decisions, makes a
conscious and voluntary decision to engage in
acts that threaten his/her safety as a matter of
personal choice.
Signs of Self-Neglect
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Dehydration, malnutrition
Untreated medical conditions
Lack of necessary medical aids
Hazardous or unsafe living conditions
Unsanitary or unclean living quarters
Inappropriate and/or inadequate clothing
Homelessness
Physical Abuse
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Physical force that may result in bodily
injury, physical pain or impairment.
Striking with or without an object.
Signs of Physical Abuse
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Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations.
Rope/restraint marks.
Open wounds, cuts, punctures,
untreated injuries in various stages of
healing.
Sprains, dislocations, internal injuries.
Signs of Physical Abuse –
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continued
Laboratory findings of medication
overdose.
An elder’s report of being hit, slapped
kicked or mistreated.
An elder’s sudden change in behavior.
The caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors
to see and elder alone.
Sexual Abuse
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Sexual abuse is non consensual sexual
contact of any kind with an elderly
person.
It includes unwanted touching
Sexual assault or battery such as rape,
sodomy, coerced nudity and sexually
explicit photographing.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
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Bruises around breasts or genital area.
Unexplained venereal disease or genital
infections.
Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
An elder’s report of being sexually
assaulted or raped.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
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The infliction of anguish, pain, or distress
through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Includes, verbal assaults, insults, threats,
intimidation, humiliation, harassment
Treating the older person like an infant
Isolating an elderly person from his/her
family, friends or regular activities.
Giving an older person the “silent treatment”
or enforced social isolation.
Signs of
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
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Emotionally upset or agitated
Extremely withdrawn
Non-communicative or non-responsive
Unusual behavior usually attributed to
“dementia” (e.g. sucking, biting, rocking)
Neglect
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The refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a
person’s obligations or duties to an elder.
Failure of a person who has fiduciary
responsibilities to provide for an elder.
Failure to provide an elderly person with
necessities, food water, clothing, shelter,
personal hygiene, medicine, comfort,
personal safety.
Abandonment
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The desertion of an elderly person by
an individual who has assumed the
responsibility for providing care to the
elder, or by the person who has physical
custody of the elder.
Financial or Material Exploitation
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The illegal or improper use of an elder’s
funds, property, or assets.
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Cashing an elder’s checks without
authorization or permission.
Forging an elder’s signature,
Misusing or stealing an elder’s money or
possessions,
Coercing or deceiving an elder into signing
any document, (contracts or wills).
Improper use of guardianship or power of
attorney.
Signs of Financial or Material
Exploitation.
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Sudden changes in bank account or
banking practice.
Inclusion of additional names on a bank
signature card.
Unauthorized banking, remaking of
wills, advanced directives, or other legal
matters of any kind.
Is Elder Abuse a Crime?
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Physical, sexual, and financial/material
abuses are considered crimes.
Certain emotional abuse and neglect
are subject to criminal prosecution.
SELF-NEGLECT IS NOT CONSIDERED A
CRIME.
Where to Find Help
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Adult Protection Services.
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Somerset County Adult Protective Services.
Board of Social Services.
Somerville, 08876.
908-526-8800.
Someone from the Agency will investigate reported
cases.
Provide victims with treatment and protective
services.
Local Police, sheriff’s offices and prosecuting
attorneys will investigate and prosecute abuse.
Long distance caregivers can call a nationwide tollfree number. (1-800-677-1116).