elder abuse

What would you do if you thought a resident had been assulted ?

If this is in an LTC Facility, start with an internal Investigation. Each place has their own rules for handling the situation.

Suebird

Every facility should have a policy in place and it is a mandatory inservice every year. First we call the ADM and DON ASAP. They do their investigation with can also include the police.

Call the police. That way, you know something will be done.

Call the police. That way, you know something will be done.

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

Don't take any chances

Calling the police does not negate your responsibility of reporting it to the DNS or ED and having the facility do a complete and thorough investigation.

If there IS abuse, this is reportable to the State, and an internal investigation is necessary.

Suebird3

Wow, call the police would not have been my first answer. I am NOT saying there would never be any circumstance that maybe the police wouldn't need to be involved in... just not my first and highest priority. First I would ensure immediate safety of resident, have alleged staff member leave the unit and immediately report to the DON/ED. For crying out loud, can't imagine being the DON/ED and having the police call me when I didn't even know what happened.

From there decisions can be made about calling police, department of health etc.

If you feel true abuse has occurred and supervisiors are not following investigation procedures - then you may need to call department of health &/or police yourself, BUT keep in mind that just because you don't know all the investigatvie facts doesn't mean supervisors are ignoring the situation.

On the other hand (and I my get flamed for this), while true abuse should never ever be tolerated - there are usually two sides to every story. I have seen more and more residents come into facilities that proclaim to "know their rights" and insist/demand everything under the sun and expect immediate or quicker reaction from the staff. If demands are not met they start crying abuse. Example we have one who demands ONLY tropicana orange juice. An unfortunate new CNA brings him the normal kitchen OJ. He takes one sip, slams the whole glass (OJ and glass both!) at this poor girl and then demands to meet with management due to abuse/neglect due to her poor attitude and inattention to his needs. She keeps her cool and leaves the room and reports resident is accusing abuse- but when investigation complete she was the one abused!

"BUT keep in mind that just because you don't

know all the investigatvie facts doesn't mean supervisors are ignoring

the situation."

Thanks Nascar...many times we (management) are doing an investigation or have done an investigation and no one else knows. Part of the reason for this is maintaining the privacy of the person who was accused until they are found 'guilty'. No one wants the reputation of a co-worker tarnished or trashed if there is no basis to the accusation. If, on the other hand, the investigation shows they did it...then skip the tarnishing and go straight for the tar and feathers!

I have a friend who is DON in a LTC, and she's had state come in to investigate allegations of abuse that were made by staff members as revenge against other staff members for percieved slights or just spite. State inspectors aren't stupid, though, and can usually figure out what's going on.

I've also seen residents, over the years, who would yell and carry on any time someone did anything to them, including normal care. I remember one who was yelling while being put back to bed from a chair: "You're standing on my foot! You're standing on my foot! Ow, ow, ow, ow!!" Her foot was about six inches off the floor at the time.

Abuse does happen, but as someone else said, there are two sides to every story.

Call the police. That way, you know something will be done.

To do so before turning to your supervisor ( or DON, ADM , SW) would not be wise and can cause you your job. You are a team player- not the Lone Ranger!

Check your facility's policy and go up the chain of command. Your immediate supervisor should be able to provide answers.

What would you do if you thought a resident had been assulted ?

I have worked in institutions where a few residents were extremely combative and at times d/t needing to be physically held so as not to be bit, hit, pinched, kicked, or a combination of all of these things staff will hold on extra tight and the resident did come out with bruises. At the same time though, the skin of the elderly does tear easily.

But an assault needs to be investigated. A coworker friend was fired d/t abuse of a resident. She HAD assaulted the resident, she kicked and tore at the residents hair. I thought that she should have left of her own free will several years before her dismissal and had suggested to her before the incident that she ought to retire, or take a break, as her attitude of at times poor.

Keep your eyes and ears open and be sure to make it a point to be around when residents are being cared for by the person you suspect. Just as in domestic violence cases, one tends not to believe a person is capable of abuse. If you witness it you must put a stop to it and report it.