Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect

According to Wikipedia, elder abuse is a general term used to describe certain types of harm to older adults. Other terms commonly used include: "elder mistreatment", "senior abuse", "abuse in later life", "abuse of older adults", "abuse of older women", and "abuse of older men".

One of the more commonly accepted definitions of elder abuse is "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person."[1] This definition has been adopted by the World Health Organization from a definition put forward by Action on Elder Abuse in the UK.

The core feature of this definition is that it focuses on harms where there is "expectation of trust" of the older person toward their abuser. Thus it includes harms by people the older person knows or with whom they have a relationship, such as a spouse, partner or family member, a friend or neighbor, or people that the older person relies on for services. Many forms of elder abuse are recognized as types of domestic violence or family violence.

The term elder abuse does not include general criminal activity against older persons, such as home break ins, "muggings" in the street or "distraction burglary", where a stranger distracts an older person at the doorstep while another person enters the property to steal.

In 2006 the [International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)] designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and an increasing number of events are held across the globe on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse, and highlight ways to challenge such abuse.

Symptoms of Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect

NOTE: Although only one of these indicators may be sufficient to indicate abuse, neglect or exploitation, the presence of only one, or even a few of the indicators, do not necessarily determine such. However, the larger the number of indicators present, the more likelihood there is of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Clergy are, of course, encouraged to be alert for indicators in the elderly with whom they come in contact, and to report same to jurisdictional protective service.

Malnutrition
Dehydration
Frequent or multiple decubiti
Poor personal hygiene
Unclean clothes or bedding
Withholding drugs by caretaker
Over medicating of client by caretaker
Untreated physical or mental health problems
Inadequate heating or cooling
Multiple injuries, burns or bruises
Vague explanation or denial in view of obvious injury
Conflicting or illogical explanations of injury
Exaggerated defensiveness exhibited by caretaker
Over hostility towards client exhibited by caretaker
Has "imprint injuries" (i.e., bruises that retain the shape of traumatizing object). Note shapes of bruises similar to objects or hand/thumb/finger marks. Inner arm or thigh bruise are especially suspect as are injuries to the head, scalp or face.
Unwillingness to discuss problems or injuries with caretaker or in caretaker's presence
Fearful of caretaker, but anxious to please
Failure to meet basic subsistence needs despite adequate income
Reliance on client's income by caretaker for personal needs
Legal documents signed when caretaker is incapable of understanding