GERI- Elder Neglect Flashcards
(27 cards)
Neglect is often wrongly attributed to what 3 illnesses?
- Dementia 2. Depression 3. Failure to thrive
What is the definition of elder mistreatment?
- Intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder. - Failure by a caregiver to satisfy the elder’s basic needs to protect the elder from harm.
Do elders who are abused have an increased mortality risk compared to unabused seniors?
YES. 3x greater risk of death compared to unabused seniors.
How many elder abuse cases typically happen each year?
1.1-2.5 million cases per year. at HOMES and SNFs
What are the 4 most common types of elder abuse?
- MC-Neglect 2. MC-Fiduciary 3. Physical 4. Psychological Less common —> abandonment, sexual assault
Who most commonly is abusing elders?
Their MC- children or spouse
What are the risk factors for elder abuse?
- Lack of clinical and neuropsychological capacity 2. Increased vulnerability (i.e. unwillingness to face disabilities, medical illness, dementia, socially isolated)
What risk factors are commonly seen in abusers?
- Mental illness, hostility, and alcohol abuse 2. Caregiver stress
What are 5 types of perpetrators of elder abuse? This is in regards to their personality.
- **Overwhelmed (MC)2. Impaired
- Narcissistic
- Domineering or bullying
- Sadistic
What are possible abuse indicators that you may see on a patient?
- Weight loss - Dehydration - Poor hygiene/elongated toenails - Inappropriate attire (not dressed warmly for cold weather) - Abrasions/lacerations, hematomas, bruises in unusual locations - Traumatic alopecia - Welts, burns, pressure ulcers - Rectal/vaginal bleeding - Signs of STDs
Red flags for neglect?
- Individuals with dementia left unsupervised - Hoarding in home - Home without basic utilities - Individual with untreated bedsores
If neglect is suspected, what should you do as a provider?
Visit the individual at home to gain a full understanding of the problem.
What are risk factors for sexual assault of an elder?
- Female gender. 70+ - Physically weak/disabled - Lonely - Shame - Trusting - Thought that “this can never happen to me” - Paranoid that crime would be reported
What are risk factors for the abuser of elder sexual assault?
Often male caregivers
How many women have been sexually assaulted? How many of these women were assaulted >10 times?
86% sexually assaulted. 50% of these >10 times.
What are the 4 primary hallmarks of neglect?
- Pressure ulcers 2. Malnutrition 3. Dehydration 4. Feces 2/2 Delay in care, Noncompliance, Miss Apts. Restraints
What are signs of malnutrition?
On PE: temporal or thenar wasting, weight loss/FTT. Labs: - Albumin - Prealbumin - Cholesterol
What are clinical findings of dehydration?
Poor skin turgor - Dry mucous membranes Lab findings: - BUN - Sodium
What are 4 risk factors for pressure ulcers?
Braden Scale- Pressure - Friction - Moisture - Malnutrition
What is elder abandonment?
Vulnerable elder left in an unsafe, unrealistic situation.
What is elder abduction?
Vulnerable elder removed from safe environment, with or without their consent.
What is responsibility of HCP?
- Prevent 2. Recognize 3. Respond.4. Must report, HCP under or over report. 5. Consult SWS 6. Court appearance. 7. Elder abuse is repetitive
What is “the diogenes syndrome?”
Hoarding: a disorder characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, compulsive hoarding of garbage or animals, and lack of shame.
Where and how should you report elder abuse?
Adult protective Services (APS): fax a written report within 48 hours.
