You and Elder Abuse

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You and Elder Abuse

• Constable Dan Walton
• Marlene Van Eden
• Dawn Vickers

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You and Elder Abuse

• What is Elder Abuse?
• Have you witnessed Elder Abuse?
• Can you make a difference?
• Why should I care? Does this really effect me
  and my family?

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You and Elder Abuse

• Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or
  others that jeopardizes the heath or well being
  of an older adult. This includes physical,
  emotional, psychological, financial, sexual or
  medical abuse, as well as passive or active
  neglect.

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You and Elder Abuse

• Where does elder abuse take place?
• Elder abuse takes place where the senior lives
  most often in the home where the abuser are apt
  to be adult children, other family members or
  spouses /partners of elders.
• Institutional settings especially long term care
  facilities can also be sources of elder abuse.

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You and Elder Abuse

• Physical Abuse
• Assaults by
• Kicking
• Slapping
• Punching
• Striking with objects
• Deliberate exposure to severe weather

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You and Elder Abuse

• Psychological Abuse
• Humiliation
• Isolation
• Intimidation
• Threats
• Removal of decision making powers
• Verbal insults, yelling

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You and Elder Abuse

• Financial Abuse
• Misuse of funds
• Property
• Fraud
• Trickery or Force

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You and Elder Abuse

• Sexual Abuse
• Any forced sexual activity
• Verbal or suggestive behavior
• Fondling
• Sexual intercourse
• Lack of personal privacy
• Being forced to commit degrading acts
• Unnecessary help with dressing/hygiene

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You and Elder Abuse

• Medication Abuse
• On purpose or by accident
• Withholding medication
• Overmedicating
• Not complying with prescription refills

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You and Elder Abuse

• Neglect
• Lack of action required to meet needs of the
  elderly
• Inadequate provision of food, clothing, shelter
  medication and social companionship
• Minimal personal care

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You and Elder Abuse

• Passive Neglect
• Unintentional failure to fulfill a caretaking
  obligation
• Infliction of distress without conscious or
  willful intent

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You and Elder Abuse

• Active Neglect
• Intentional failure to fulfill care giving
  obligations, infliction of physical or emotional
  stress or injury
• Abandonment, denial of food, medication, personal
  hygiene

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You and Elder Abuse
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You and Elder Abuse

• Theories of Abuse
• Learning Theory
• Physical/Mental Dependence
• Pathologic Abusers
• Feminist Theory
• Stressed Caregiver
• Societal Attitudes

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You and Elder Abuse

• SIGNS OF ABUSE
• Unexplained bruises or welts
• Injuries that are incompatible with the
  explanation
• Cuts, pinch marks, lacerations
• Malnourished or dehydrated
• Untreated medical attention
• Home in need of repairs

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You and Elder Abuse

• Signs Continued..
• Confused, frightened
• Withdrawn and forgetful
• Depressed, helpless
• Disoriented about time and place
• Telling impulsive stories
• Hesitant to talk freely

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You and Elder Abuse

• Signs Continued
• Significant withdraws form the elders account
• Sudden changes in financial conditions
• Items of cash missing from seniors household
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney,
  titles and policy

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You and Elder Abuse

• Signs Continued
• Additions to names in seniors signing card
• Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, senior
  unable to pay for these services
• Unexplained ATM uses when senior not there
• Unnecessary services, goods and subscriptions

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You and Elder Abuse

• WHAT CAN YOU LOOK FOR.
• Watch for warning signs
• Watch elders medication if in care at home or
  facility
• Watch for signs of financial abuse
• Stay in touch make sure the elder never is
  isolated at home or long term care

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You and Elder Abuse

• Risk Factors Among Caregivers
• Inability to manage the level of stress
• Depression (common among caregivers)
• Lack of support from other potential caregiver
• Substance abuse
• Caregivers perception that care giving of the
  elder is burdensome and without psychological
  reward

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You and Elder Abuse

• Even caregivers in institutional
• settings can experience stress
• at levels that lead to Elder
• Abuse. Nursing home staff may
• be prone to elder abuse if they
• Lack training
• Have too many responsibilities
• Are unsuited to care giving or
• Work under poor conditions

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You and Elder Abuse

• Protective Factors for Older Persons
• Older persons are less likely to be abused or
• neglected if
• They are aware of their rights
• Have a strong self esteem
• Have positive relationships within family
• Are served by well trained, well paid staff with
  high staff-resident ratios and
• Social connectedness at a community level

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You and Elder Abuse

• Preventing Elder Abuse
• LISTEN to seniors and their caregivers
• INTERVENING when you suspect elder abuse
• EDUCATING others about how to recognize and
  report elder abuse

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You and Elder Abuse

• What Caregivers Can Do To Prevent Elder Abuse
• If they feel overwhelmed by demands of caring for
  an elder do the following
• Request help from friends, family, relatives,
  local respite care agencies, get a break so you
  are not frustrated

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You and Elder Abuse

• Caregiver Assistance Continued
• Find Adult daycare program
• Stay healthy and take care of yourself
• Adopt stress reduction practices
• Seek counseling for depression
• Find support groups
• If abusing substances to cope get help

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You and Elder Abuse

• HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AS AN ELDER
• Make sure financial and legal affairs are in
  order. If they are not, get advise from legal or
  trusted friend or family.
• Keep in touch with family and friends. Dont
  isolate yourself.

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You and Elder Abuse

• If you are unhappy with the care you are getting
  speak out, whether at home or care facility,
  SPEAK UP!
• Tell someone you trust to assist and report
  abuse, neglect or substandard care
• Get help and report

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You and Elder Abuse

• Contact Lethbridge Regional Police Diversity
  Unit, Dan Walton 403 330-5133
• Lethbridge Seniors Citizens Organization, Marlene
  Van Eden 403 320-2222
• Supports Services Coordinator City of Lethbridge,
  Dawn Vickers 403 329-7396

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You and Elder Abuse

• Thank you for your time and attention!
• We are always here to help so dont hesitate to
  call
• Questions ?????????????