ABUSE, NEGLECT & EXPLORATION

Guidelines for Speaking with an Elder or His or 1 Her Loved One about Suspected

A. Begin by providing a comfortable environment to have a conversation. Choose a private location, far away from the suspected abuser’s hearing range. Such as a coffee shop, a doctor’s office or even a restaurant.

B. Ask the elderly person what time of day would be best to talk. (Remember, certain daily medications cause drowsiness or cognitive confusion.)

C. Use open-ended questions and speak slowly.

D. Keep the line of questioning to one at a time. Several topics can be confusing.

E. Never correct the individual providing information.

F. Communicate at eye level by sitting next to, or across from him or her.

G. Be patient, and listen. Give the person ample time to answer.

H. Take notes of any barriers to communication.

o Does the senior have his hearing aid?

o Does the senior have dentures in place?

I. Understand that individuals with memory problems can tell you what happened— especially if an incident made an emotional impact. Believe their story, unless you have evidence to the contrary. 2 Guide for Abuse that Requires Reporting

A. Sexual Abuse — intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing or attempting to cause rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault or incest. B. Serious Physical Injury — an injury that results in a person who is in severe pain or an injury that significantly impairs a person’s physical functioning, either temporarily or permanently. C. Serious Bodily Injury — an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body member or organ.

D. Suspicious Death — a death that would arouse suspicion or is questionable.

3 Emotional

Emotional or psychological senior abuse occurs when people (caretakers, family members, etc.) speak to (or treat) elderly persons in ways that result in emotional pain or distress for the older person.

Verbal forms of emotional elder abuse include the following: o by yelling or threatening the senior person. o and ridicule. o Habitual blaming or .

Nonverbal psychological elder abuse include the following: o Ignoring the elderly person o Isolating an elder from friends or activities o Terrorizing or menacing the elderly person Common types of emotional abuse include; o Neglect/rejection o Isolation o Abusive, unreasonable expectations (demands, ) o Ignoring & denying (refusing to listen or to understand the feelings of the elderly individual) o Constant chaos o Exploitation o Aggression (blaming, commanding, threatening) o (threats) o Dominating or intimidating o Verbal assaults (sarcasm, berating) o Invalidation o Unpredictable behavior of caregivers and family members (mood changes, emotional outbursts)

4 Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abusers are devious and cunning. Emotional abusers play mind games with the senior, other caregivers, and themselves. Consider the following when assessing the potential abusive situation: o Feelings of o Mood changes o The avoidance of eye-contact o Nervous feelings o Increased anxiety o The inability to trust others o Unfounded or excessive o Frequent blaming of others o Unengaged from social interaction o Self-blaming and activities o Pessimistic behavior and attitude o Isolation from friends and family o Substance or drug abuse o Low self-esteem o Extreme dependence on others o Fearfulness o Lying o or expressed o Aggressive attitude and behavior o Mood changes o Emotional instability o Nervous feelings o Suicidal thoughts and desires 5 General Signs of Elder Abuse

The following warning signs generally indicate the presence of elder abuse issues: o Frequent arguments or tension between a caregiver or family member and the elderly person o Changes in personality or behavior of the elderly individual

Other indications of abuse include: o Untreated health problems o Dehydration or malnutrition o Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions (e.g. vermin, soiled bedding) o An elder’s report of neglect o Allowing an Alzheimer’s patient to wander outside the facility without supervision

If you suspect elderly abuse but aren't sure, look for clusters or patterns of the following physical and behavioral signs.

6 Elder Neglect

Elder neglect is the failure to fulfill obligations to senior citizens.

Neglect occurs when a caregiver does not provide adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine, personal safety, or other essentials. Ignoring personal hygiene requirements is also neglect.

Examples include - not helping a disabled assisted living resident get to a bathroom or to bathe. Ignoring an elderly person's special diet or not calling his or her physician when necessary is other forms of neglect.