Elder Abuse: Its Many Faces & How to Help Hollie C. Campanella, RN, MSN Doctoral Student, MUSC
Objectives: Define elder abuse Describe the types of elder abuse & signs & symptoms of each Identify characteristics of elders who are at risk for being abused Identify potential perpetrators of abuse
Objectives (cont.) 5. Review of ethical obligations & legal mandates related to elder abuse 6. Recognize the value of elder abuse screening tool to emergency nursing practice 7. Coordinate care for individuals experiencing elder abuse presenting to ED
Definitions of Elder Abuse CDC WHO Others: National Center for Victims of Violent Crimes (NCVC) National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) Prevalence Estimates
Types of Elder Abuse Physical Sexual Emotional or psychological Neglect Abandonment Financial or material exploitation Self-neglect
Signs & Symptoms Physical Sexual Emotional or psychological Neglect Abandonment Financial or material exploitation Self-neglect
Characteristics of Elders & Risk for Abuse Age Dependency Substance Abuse Isolation Personal Behaviors
Perpetrators of Elder Abuse Spouse Adult children or other family members Caregivers who are not related Fiduciary Advocates Medical facilities & personnel Financial facilities & personnel Other trusted individuals Strangers
Perpetrator Risk Factors Age Gender Personal Characteristics Theories
Ethical Obligations & Legal Mandates Autonomy versus Safety Harm Reduction Mandatory Reporting Laws Resources: Law citations by State available at: http://www.ncea.aoa.gov Ethical Obligations & Legal Mandates
Detection: Screening Tools What exists? Selecting a tool for you & your ED What is still needed?
Coordinating Care RN Role Physician Role Social Worker EMS & Law Enforcement Family & Others
Summary Growing problem that demands emergency nursing attention & expertise Detection depends on knowledge, vigilance, & caring Care enough to find out! Find & develop resources for yourself & your department
Questions?
References Administration on Aging (AoA). (2010). A profile of older Americans: 2009. Retrieved from http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/Profile/2009/2.aspx Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008). Understanding elder maltreatment: Fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/EM-FactSheet-a.pdf The National Center on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL). (n.d.). Research on abuse in later life. Retrieved from http://www.ncall.us/docs/Research_AILL_2007.pdf The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). (2009). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/FAQ/Questions.aspx The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC). (2008). Elder abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32350 Ridgeway, M. L. (n.d.). Civil, criminal and administration remedies in cases of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of the elderly. Retrieved from http://www.senioranswers.org/Pages/elderabuse.htm You Have the Power…Know How to Use it, Inc. (Producer). (1994). The golden years [DVD]. Available from http://www.yhtp.org/dvds-books.php