Tips For Families To Identify Cases Of Elder Abuse

TIPS FOR FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY CASES OF ELDER ABUSE TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE Physical abuse Sexual abuse Includes behavior toward an elderly person which results in bodily harm, injury, unnecessary pain, unreasonable confinement, punishment, coercion, or mental distress. Includes any form of sexual contact that results from threats, force or the inability of the older person to give consent, including assault, rape and sexual harassment ?!@#S! Physological/emotional abuse Financia/material abuse This form of abuse includes threats r Included in this form of abuse is financial actions directed at an elderly person in an effort to provoke the fear of violence or isolation and which may result in mental anguish, anxiety or depression. exploitation.of the older person through illegál or unethical use of his/her money, property or other assets for personal gain. Lack of necessities or care that is not consistent with resources available may be symptoms of financial abuse. FRAUD Healthcare fraud Neglect Carried out by unethical doctors, nurses, hospital personnel, and other professional care providers, examples of healthcare fraud and abuse regarding elders include not providing healthcare, but charging for it, overcharging or double-billing for medical care or services. Neglect can be either active or passive on the part of the caregiver. Active neglect means the willful deprivation of goods or services which are necessary to maintain the physical or mental health of the older person. Passive neglect is failing to recognize the elder's needs, thereby keeping from them needed goods and services. 5.9 i x1 million MILLION elderly abuse cases in 2010 77.9 Q 67.9% median age of victims of elder abuse victims are female 4.5% others RACIAL PROFILES OF ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS 10.4* hispanic 66.4% white 18.7% black BREAKDOWN OF CASES Neglect 58.5% Physical 15.7% Financial 12.3% Emotional 7.3* Sexual 0.04% 66* 42% Ô 24% elderly abuse perpetrated by adult children or spouse of murder victims over 60 were killed by their own offspring of murder victims over 60 were killed by their spouses HELP IDENTIFYING SITUATIONS INVOLVING ELDER ABUSE Q PHYSICAL ABUSE Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly (a prescription has more remaining than it should) Broken eyeglasses or frames Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists Caregiver's refusal to allow you to see the elder alone EMOTIONAL ABUSE Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself SEXUAL ABUSE Bruises around breasts or genitals Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections NEGLECT (BY CAREGIVERS OR SELF-NEGLECT) Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards) Being left dirty or unbathed Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather Desertion of the elder at a public place FINANCIAL ABUSE Significant withdrawals from the elder's accounts Sudden changes in the elder's financial condition Financial activity the senior couldn't have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden Items or cash missing from the senior's household Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies Addition of names to the senior's signature card Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions GLAM HEALTHCARE FRAUD BILL 147 Duplicate billings for the same medical service or device BILL 147 PAID Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full Problems with the care facility: Poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient staff, crowding. inadequate responses to questions about care Evidence of overmedication or undermedication SENIORS PARTICULARLY AT RISK FOR BEING VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE Social isolation and mental impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease) are two factors that may make an older person more vulnerable to abuse. Dependence on the abuser for daily care needs, including meals, mobility, and access to funds and medication. And in some cases the abuser is dependent on the victim for shelter, money, and food. Living with someone with mental health issue such as an addiction to drugs or alcohol or who is mentally ill may increase the chances for abuse to occur. Elder abuse victims may experience shame, fear, embarrassment, anxiety, confusion, withdrawal, and depression Sources: National Council On Child & Family Violence/ Helpguide.org NursingHomesAbuseBlog.com / StatisticBrain.com/ NYC.gov Sponsored by Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers www.RosenfeldinjuryLawyers.com created by MilkWhale