presenter: _ county: date: ___ faith...

Presenter: ___________________County: ____________________Date: _____________________

Faith Leaders Respond to Faith Leaders Respond to Elder AbuseElder Abuse

1

““Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother”Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother”

Faith Leaders Respond to Elder AbuseNCEA, 2005 Grant #90 AM 2457 2

The elderly are not valued in America. The elderly are not valued in America. Yet, they are our parents and grandparents, Yet, they are our parents and grandparents,

the soldiers who landed at Normandy, the soldiers who landed at Normandy, the women who taught us to read. the women who taught us to read.

The helped make this country what it is today. The helped make this country what it is today. They are my heroes…They are my heroes…


Why Learn About Elder Abuse? What is Elder Abuse? Who Must Report Elder Abuse? What is Adult Protective Services? When Should I Report? How Do I Make a Report? What Can I Do In My Congregation?

OverviewOverviewOverviewOverview


Why Learn About Elder Abuse?Why Learn About Elder Abuse?

Faith leaders: Are often the first stop for help;

May be the only other person (except the abuser) in the victim’s life;

Will be better prepared to help congregants;

May be required (by state law) to report.

Knowing the warning signs… may save a life.


What Is Elder AbuseWhat Is Elder Abuse?

Elder Abuse: any knowing, intentional, or negligent act

by a caregiver or any other person

that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable older person.*

Types of abuse

physical, emotional, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, abandonment, and neglect

*General definition used by the National Center on Elder Abuse. For more information see NCEAWeb site: http://www.elderabusecenter.org


A large problem—2-10% of older American population may be victims

A hidden problem—Only 1 in 5 victims are identified

A family problem—Perpetrators are often family members and people known to the elder

A serious problem—Abused elders four times more likely to die prematurely

What Is Elder Abuse?What Is Elder Abuse?


In (your state), the following categories of abuse are defined in law:

What Is Elder Abuse?What Is Elder Abuse?


Occurs whereverolder Americans live

Own home Apartment Public housing Nursing home Board and care Assisted living Relative’s home

Where Does Elder Abuse Occur?Where Does Elder Abuse Occur?


Who Are the Victims?Who Are the Victims?

Men and women. Women more likely to be identified and reported

Socially isolated

Have dementia (stroke, Alzheimer’s disease)

Have mental illness or physical infirmities

Are trusting of others

Many are over 80 years old


• 4 –10 times higher risk of becoming a victim of crime

• 10 times more likely to be sexually assaulted

• Less likely to report abuse

• Lower rates of police follow-up, prosecution, conviction

What About Adults with Disabilities?What About Adults with Disabilities?


Have alcohol or substance abuse problems

Have mental health issues

Dependent on the older person, unemployed – no personal income

Family members, friends, neighbors, new “best friend”

Provider of care (paid or unpaid)

What are Red Flags?What are Red Flags?

Potential AbusersPotential Abusers


Spouses

Adult Children

Other Relatives (grandchildren,

nieces, nephews)

Friends, Neighbors

Caregivers

Others

Who are the Abusers?Who are the Abusers?


Facts and Figures in Our AreaFacts and Figures in Our Area

In (state/county), the data shows that:


More Facts and Figures…More Facts and Figures…


Why Abuse Is Not ReportedWhy Abuse Is Not Reported Ageism—Unfavorable attitude towards older people

Disbelief—“They’re such an upstanding family”

Lack of knowledge of signs of abuse

Lack of knowledge of reporting procedures

Reluctance or fear of confronting the offender

Fear of jeopardizing relationship with elder or elder’s family

Mistreated person requests it not be reported


SIGNS OF SIGNS OF ELDER ELDER ABUSEABUSE


What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Neglect?Neglect?

Elder's report of being mistreated

Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, poor personal hygiene

Unattended/untreated health problems

Hazardous or unsafe living conditions: improper wiring, no heat, no running water

Unsanitary living conditions—dirt, fleas, lice, soiled bedding, fecal/urine odors, inadequate clothing


Warning Signs Warning Signs AbandonmentAbandonment

Elder's own report of being abandoned

Desertion of an elder at a nursing facility or other similar institution

shopping center other public location

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Abandonment?Abandonment?


Physical Abuse Physical Abuse Warning SignsWarning Signs

Elder’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, etc..

Findings of medication over- or under-utilization

Signs of being punished or restrained

Elder's sudden change in behavior

Caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an elder alone

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Physical Abuse?Physical Abuse?


What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Physical Abuse?Physical Abuse?

Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, rope marks

Broken or fractured bones, skull fractures

Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing

Sprains, dislocations, bleeding

Broken eyeglasses or frames


Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice

Inclusion of additional names on bank signature card

Unauthorized withdrawal using elder's ATM

Abrupt changes in will or other financial documents

Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Financial Abuse?Financial Abuse?


Warning SignsWarning Signs Financial AbuseFinancial Abuse

Disparity between assets and living conditions

Forged signature on financial transactions or titles of possessions

Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to elder's affairs and possessions

Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family

Elder's report of financial exploitation

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Financial Abuse?Financial Abuse?


Warning SignsWarning Signs Emotional AbuseEmotional Abuse

Elder's report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated.

Emotionally upset or agitated

Extremely withdrawn, non-communicative, non-responsive

Unusual behavior usually attributed to dementia—sucking, biting, rocking

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Emotional Abuse?Emotional Abuse?


Warning SignsWarning Signs Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse

Bruises around the breasts or genital area

Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections

Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Elder's report of being sexually assaulted or raped

Elder's report of being sexually assaulted or raped

Bruises around the breasts or genital area

Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections

Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse?Sexual Abuse?


When the person because of depression, confusion, dementia or alcoholism does not take care of him or herself.

Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated or improperly attended medical conditions, poor personal hygiene

Hazardous or unsanitary living conditions

Inappropriate or inadequate clothing

Lack of the necessary medical aids—eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures

Homelessness

What are some Warning Signs ofWhat are some Warning Signs of Self Neglect?Self Neglect?


Is Elder Abuse a Crime?Is Elder Abuse a Crime?

Penal Code Section ____ provides that:


If I Suspect Abuse…If I Suspect Abuse… What Should I Do?What Should I Do?

You play an important role as a “sentinel” or “gatekeeper” for an abused person in your community

If you suspect that something is amiss, call your local Adult Protective Services Program. It is not your responsibility to investigate abuse

APS will consult with you about the case. If they believe a report needs to be made, they will take the necessary information from you


Are Clergy Required to Report?Are Clergy Required to Report?

In (your state) the reporting policy:


An essential part of our community safety net.

Helps vulnerable adults who are in danger of being mistreated or neglected

Helps those unable to protect themselves

Adult Adult Protective Protective

Services (APSServices (APS)


What Does APS Do?What Does APS Do?

Prevents and alleviates harm resulting from abuse, neglect or exploitation: Receives reports Investigates needs and risks Develops case plans Provides and monitors services

Offers needed services Competent adults may refuse APS help

Collaborates with other services to meet elders’ needs


Our (state/area) APS program includes:

What Does APS Do?What Does APS Do?


To report abuse that occurs in the Community (i.e. private home, hotel, senior center)

Call:

Who Should I Call?Who Should I Call?


Adult Protective

Services (APS)

LTCO is a unique, nationwide program

Provides advocacy for residents of nursing homes, board and care, and other long term care facilities.

Long Term CareLong Term CareOmbudsmanOmbudsman

(LTCO(LTCO)


What Does the LTCO Do?What Does the LTCO Do?

Advocate for Residents Receives and resolves complaintscomplaints about

resident care

EducatesEducates residents, families and communities on Resident Rights Quality Care

CollaboratesCollaborates on policy change to meet resident needs


What Does the LTCO Do?What Does the LTCO Do?

Our LTCO program includes:


To report abuse that occurs in a Long Term Care Facility (e.g., nursing home, assisted living facility)

Call:

Who Should I Call?Who Should I Call?


Be patient

Do not act shocked, keep your demeanor calm

Reassure the person that he or she is not to blame

Let him or her know that he or she is not alone.

If someone tells me about abuse… If someone tells me about abuse… What Should I Do?What Should I Do?


I have never reported before…I have never reported before…

What is Involved?What is Involved?

In (state/area), the protocol for reporting elder abuse includes:


What information do I give?What information do I give?

Your name Victim’s name Victims address/location Your observations and concerns Who is the suspected abuser? Can the victim walk, hear, see, etc.? Anyone else who should be contacted. Contact information.


In (state/area) the policy includes:

Do I have to make a written report?Do I have to make a written report?


What happens after I report?

You can expect a professional & confidential response:

What happens after I report?What happens after I report?


I am not a trained investigator…I am not a trained investigator… How can I recognize abuse?How can I recognize abuse?

No one expects you to be the experts on abuse or to know all the warning signs

Sometimes abuse is so obvious that there is no question whether to report it

If you are concerned and you think something is going on, call the professionals at APS. They are trained to investigate and make that decision


What if I don’t report?What if I don’t report?

In (your state), if a mandated reporter fails

to report abuse:


Are there times when…Are there times when… I should not report?I should not report?

The short answer is, no:

Some Faith Leaders believe that they can assist an elder or a family without reporting abuse

If you have been told, or reasonably believe that abuse is taking place, it is very importantvery important that you report it

Let the experts assist the elder and the family.


What about my relationship with my What about my relationship with my congregation member?congregation member?

Abused persons will often drop hints or tellsomeone about the abuse because they knowthey need help

If, having been told about the abuse, you do not report it, you may be sending a message to the older person that what is happening to them is not serious

In addition, in (your state), if you do not report reasonable suspicions, there are/are not legal consequences


You can help prevent it before it gets serious:

Take time to meet alone with the older person. Tell him or her what you know about some of the risk factors of elder abuse (e.g., adult child who is financially dependent).

Tell him/her of your concern.

Explain the role of APS. Encourage him/her to seek help before abuse occurs or worsens.

What if I see early warning signs What if I see early warning signs of abuse?of abuse?


What if the elder wants help but…What if the elder wants help but…

The elder may want help but doesn’t want to get the alleged abuser in trouble.

This is a very common response of older abused people, especially when the abuser is a family member

Remind the abused person that help is available to him or her and that it is better to seek help than to try to handle a difficult situation alone.

Encourage them to talk with APS

APS may be able to refer the alleged abuser to services (e.g., drug or alcohol treatment), however, these are also voluntary and may be rejected by the abuser


The elder may seem confused. It’s not clear The elder may seem confused. It’s not clear that he/she understands the situation.that he/she understands the situation.

Sometimes dementia, mental illness, or other factors may hamper an older person’s cognition

An assessment may indicate that the elder does not have the capacity to make informed judgments about his or her care. Adult Protective Services, may, on an emergency basis, or with court approval, act on behalf of the elder’s best interest, even without his or her consent. The procedure for such actions varies from state to state

What if the elder seems confused…What if the elder seems confused…


What about “caregiver stress” and What about “caregiver stress” and elder abuse?elder abuse?

The abuser says that “caregiver stress” is causing the abuse, how can I help?

Caregiving is, without question, a stressful endeavor. However, research shows that stress related to caregiving is not the cause of elder abuse. Some people should not be entrusted with care of an elder. If these people become caregivers, they may abuse and blame the stress for the abuse.

Be careful not to come to the support of the caregiver without also seriously considering the safety of the older person. The safety of the older person should be your foremost concern.


What about forgiveness?What about forgiveness?

Shouldn’t the abusers be forgiven? Forgiveness does not mean returning to an

abusive situation.

An abused person may one day find that forgiveness is possible.

However, no one should be told to put up with an abusive situation because their faith calls on them to forgive the abuser’s transgressions.


What Can Faith Leaders Do?What Can Faith Leaders Do?

Educate yourself and other Faith Leaders about elder abuse

Create a Safe Place for Elders by making your place of worship a place where elderly victims can come forward for help.

Educate the Congregation on the subject of

violence against and fraud and abuse of elders.

Talk with other Faith Leaders about a regular meeting on issues of family violence.


Establish a Friendly Visitor Program

Create a Nurse Program for homebound elders

Break the silence about abuse Give a sermon that mentions abuse in vulnerable

populations Make it clear that this type of behavior is not condoned

Intervene Do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the clues of

abuse

What Can Faith Leaders Do?What Can Faith Leaders Do?


An ElderAn Elder

A person whose life continues A person whose life continues

to have promise for and to have promise for and

connection to the future:connection to the future: … …still growing,still growing,

… …still a learner,still a learner,

… …still with potentialstill with potential

A person whose life continues A person whose life continues

to have promise for and to have promise for and

connection to the future:connection to the future: … …still growing,still growing,

… …still a learner,still a learner,

… …still with potentialstill with potential

presenter: ___________________ county: ____________________ date: _____________________ faith...

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