Elder Abuse

Question 1

Define Elder Abuse

Answer 1

Infliction of physical or mental injury
The deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, or services necessary to maintain the physical or mental health of an older person or persons with a developmental disability with lawful authority

Question 2

Define Elder or Senior Citizens

Answer 2

Person who is 60+ years of age or older

Question 3

Define Vulnerable Adult

Answer 3

Person age 60 or older who is being abused neglected or exploited
Or per 18+ if person has a disability

Question 4

Define Victim

Answer 4

Person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action

Question 5

Define Perpetrators

Answer 5

Person who commits physical, financial, emotional abuse towards an elder

Question 6

Risk Factors of Victims of Elder Abuse

Answer 6

Age
Social isolation
Extreme dependence & frailty
Severe mental and/or physical illness
Female gender
Low to modest financial resources

Question 7

Barriers to Reporting Elder Abuse

Answer 7

Fear
Protecting the abuser
Social isolation
Self-blame/denial
Inability to report: mental or physical impairments

Question 8

Red Flags in Senior Citizens

Answer 8

Personality changes
Sudden physical changes in appearance & abilities
They seem nervous or afraid
Confusion about transactions or withdrawals
Unable to remember signing documents
Property is transferred or missing
Level of care they are receiving is inconsistent with their resources
Signs of substance abuse

Question 9

Who are the alleged perps?

Answer 9

Opportunists
Predators
Persons known or unknown to the victim

Question 10

Perpetrators Unknown to the Victim

Answer 10

Sweepstakes or lottery scams
Annuity scams
Charity scams
Home repair scams
Telemarketing scams
Identity theft
Sweetheart swindles & fortune telling schemes
Predatory lending

Question 11

Define Physical Abuse

Answer 11

Physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment

Question 12

Behaviors in a Physically Abusive Relationships

Answer 12

Delay between onset of injury & seeking medical care

Question 13

Common Perpetrators of Physical Abuse

Answer 13

Family
Children
Spouse
Intimate partners trying to gain control over victim

Question 14

Questions to Ask Someone who is Physically Abused

Answer 14

Safe at home?
Afraid of anyone?
Made to stay in your room or left alone often?

Question 15

Define Domestic Violence

Answer 15

Escalating pattern of violence or intimidation by an intimate partner, which is to gain power and control

Question 16

Perpetrators of Domestic Violence

Answer 16

Spouse or partners

Question 17

Indicators of Domestic Violence

Answer 17

Intense confusion & disassociation

Question 18

Questions to Ask Someone who is Domestic Violence

Answer 18

Does anyone threaten to hurt or abuse you?

What are the top 3 concerns for safety in your home?

Question 19

Define Sexual Abuse

Answer 19

Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person

Question 20

Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse

Answer 20

Caregivers
Family members
Facility residents

Question 21

Indicators of Sexual Abuse

Answer 21

Fear of being touched
Strange bruising
Unexplained STD

Question 22

Questions to Ask Someone who is Being Sexually Abused

Answer 22

Does anyone force you to have sex or make you do things that make you feel uncomfortable?

Question 23

Define Neglect

Answer 23

Failure to fulfill a person’s obligations or duties to an elder

Question 24

Define Self-Neglect

Answer 24

Failure by oneself to provide goods or services to avoid serious threat to physical or mental health

Question 25

Perpetrators of Neglect

Answer 25

Family members Caregivers Acquaintances

Question 26

Indicators of Physical Neglect

Answer 26

Unclean

Question 27

Question to Ask Someone who is Being Neglected

Answer 27

Tell me about your hygiene schedule

Question 28

Indicators of Self Neglect

Answer 28

Isolated: no family contact

Question 29

Questions to Ask Someone who has Self Neglect

Answer 29

Who does the shopping or prepares your meals? | Do you get out often with family or friends?

Question 30

Why do people hoard?

Answer 30

``` Extreme emotional attachment Difficulty with decision making Perfectionism Responsibility Fear of making a mistake ```

Question 31

Define Hoarding

Answer 31

Condition of the home may prevent repairs from taking Possible loss of heat, running water, electricity, & refrigeration Social services not able to provide services Greater risk for falls Medical emergency teams unable to gain access to home

Question 32

Define Psychological/Verbal Abuse

Answer 32

Infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct

Question 33

Perpetrators of Psychological/Verbal Abuse

Answer 33

Family | Caregivers

Question 34

Indicators of Psychological/Verbal Abuse

Answer 34

Weight loss | No eye contact when asking questions

Question 35

Question for Psychological/Verbal Abuse

Answer 35

Are you afraid of anyone?

Question 36

Define Financial Exploitation

Answer 36

Illegal or improper use of an older persons funds, property or resources

Question 37

Perpetrators of Financial Exploitation

Answer 37

Family members | Scammer

Question 38

Indicators of Financial Exploitation

Answer 38

Concerned about costs

Question 39

Question to ask Someone who is Being Financially Exploited

Answer 39

Who handles your checkbook

Question 40

Define Decisional Capacity

Answer 40

Ability to adequately process information in order to make a decision based on that information

Question 41

Factors that May Affect Mental Capacity

Answer 41

Illness or disease Treatable factors: poor nutrition/malnutrition, dehydration, depression, medication interactions, & sleep deprivation Time of day

Question 42

Define Undue Influence

Answer 42

Persuasion, pressure, or influence short of actual force, but stronger than mere advice, that so overpowers the dominated party's free will or judgement that he or she cannot act intelligently & voluntarily, but acts, instead, subject to the will or purposes of the dominating party

Question 43

How does undue influence work?

Answer 43

Victim & exploiter in an ongoing relationship Exploiters target & groom their victims Exploiters are generally subtle in exploitation of their victims Exploiters often charming manipulators Exploiters justify their actions through excuses Victims often appear as willing participants

Question 44

Define Consent

Answer 44

When someone accepts or agrees to something that somebody else proposes Person needs to have sufficient mental capacity to understand the implications & ramifications of his or hers actions

Question 45

Legal Elements of Consent

Answer 45

Mental capacity Knowledge of the true nature of the act/transaction Act freely & voluntary

Question 46

Why are patients with dementia or Alzheimer's ideal for financial exploitation?

Answer 46

Unable to report May not be believed May not be able to recognize financial exploitation

Question 47

Define Polyvictimization

Answer 47

Exposure to multiple types of violence or victimization

Question 48

Define Guardianship

Answer 48

Legal process, utilized when a person can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about his/her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence

Question 49

What happens when you make a referral to adult protective services?

Answer 49

``` Conduct investigation Solicit victim cooperation Conduct interviews Functional & cognitive assessments Release of information Review records Compile evidence Discuss/coordinate services Refer to law enforcement ```

Question 50

Reporting Agencies

Answer 50

Adult protective services Law enforcement Long term care ombudsman