Counseling Elderly Abused Individuals :Counseling Elderly Abused Individuals Tammy Kunz University of Toledo


Slide 2:Elderly abuse can consist of: physical, psychological, financial exploitation, or neglect Elderly abuse occurs from: caregivers who are generally family members or, Caretakers who are individuals: that are working in a nursing home facility hired to care for the elderly individual


Slide 3:Elderly abuse in nursing homes can be detected however, Caretakers of elderly within their home are usually not reported


Reports reflect: 449,924 elderly individuals 60 years and older experienced abuse or neglect by a family caregiver45% of family members admitted to committingabuse to their dependentPsychological and physical abuse reflected tobe the most prevalent abuse abused or neglect in domestic settings in the United States in 1996. In research done by Homer (1984) rather than interview the abused :Reports reflect: 449,924 elderly individuals 60 years and older experienced abuse or neglect by a family caregiver45% of family members admitted to committingabuse to their dependentPsychological and physical abuse reflected tobe the most prevalent abuse abused or neglect in domestic settings in the United States in 1996. In research done by Homer (1984) rather than interview the abused


Slide 5:Caretakers reveled the reason they abused their loved one – - All of them reported they were stressed out - Caregivers in assisted living facilities admitted to abusing their residents 44% of residents admitted to the abuse 48% revealed rough treatment and physical harm - 40% of caretakers at the facility reported they verbally or psychologically abused


Who’s at Risk for abuse ? :Who’s at Risk for abuse ? - Individuals with Dementia - Alzheimer’s Disease or - Cognitive Disorder Why? - Such elderly population have significant memory impairment - Caregivers become impatient and get angry - Caretakers in assisted living revealed they are overworked


Facts about unreported abuse :Facts about unreported abuse - Elderly individuals fear abandonment from their caregiver both family members and residential settings -They fear being further abused or neglected - Due to their mental capacity they are unaware of the help available to them - Caregivers lack education on the disease or illness and are unprepared to handle situations when they arise


Resources Available for the elderly :Resources Available for the elderly - Adult Protection Services – This is a government operated program that works for the elderly population to assure they are not abused, have housing, food, clothes, medicine, and advocates for the elderly client with legal matters Area on Office of Aging – is an office that provides safety for elderly, and assures they are taken care of with their needs - Ohio Attorney General's Office – Assist with legal matters for the elderly who have been abused by seeking legal help for them free of charge. They also assist in prosecuting the criminal for committing such act of abuse and protect the elderly assuring they provide them with safety


What help is available for caregivers? :What help is available for caregivers? Family Caregiver Alliance – assist caregivers by providing them with support groups, education on their dependent’s illness, and provides a caretaker to give the caregiver a break Respite Care – Provides caregivers support, education, and caretakers to give caregivers a break Adult Daycare – Provides caregivers a safe place to drop their loved one off while they run errands, work, or relax


What to do when abuse is suspected :What to do when abuse is suspected When family members or citizens in the community suspect or know and elderly individual is being abused they should contact the police and adult protective services immediately


What Counselors Need to Know :What Counselors Need to Know Elderly clients being abused will not reveal this to them Counselors need to have proper education to know the signs of abuse Counselors need to interview the elderly indiviual apart from their family members and ask them if they feel safe Counselors need to report suspicion or abuse to police and adult protection services immediately. Failure to act on abuse with elderly individuals can result in loss of licensure and/or conviction by the law


What are signs an elderly person is being abused? :What are signs an elderly person is being abused? Counselors need to watch for crying behavior or signs of fear the elderly reveal about having visitors Counselors need to look for bruises, broken glasses, broken bones, unexplained hospital visits, medication not being filled or taken, and any other unusual markings on the elderly person


What the elderly need to know :What the elderly need to know They have legal rights and protection That if they report they are being abused they will be assured a safe place to live That they are not at fault or to blame That there are many resources available to them free of charge THAT ABUSE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!


What caretakers and caregivers need to understand :What caretakers and caregivers need to understand Abusing an elderly under their care is unlawful Abuse to the elderly is taken very seriously in our judical system Before taking on an obligation to provide care for the dependent they need to be completely educated on the illness, stages to the disease, and understand how to prepare for them Seek resources in advance – there are many of them out there which provide a caretaker on their behalf allowing caregivers a break. Support groups exist everywhere and are willing to assist with any need, help, or questions the caretaker may have


What happens if you abuse an elderly individual under your care? :What happens if you abuse an elderly individual under your care? Elderly abuse is very unlawful and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law will occur This is not a light charge, it is a felony and goes on your record Felony’s can result in job loss or potential employment There is no tolerance in our community or judical system for abuse at all especially helpless elderly individuals dependent on care from you


Review of types of abuse caregivers need to know :Review of types of abuse caregivers need to know Abuse can be committed in several ways not all abuse that occurs is physical Mental abuse – threatening and frightening the dependent to lock them in a home if they don’t obey is abuse Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to give the dependent their medications, fill their medications for them, leave them alone unattended, locking them in a room or home while nobody is there to take care of them, failure to provide the love, nourihsment, and support they require Explotation occurs when you take the elderly persons monies, make checks out to yourself, trick them into signing checks when they are not in their right state of mind, coherssing them into purchasing major expensive things for you such as a home, boat, property, tools, furniture, or any other type of material object high in value. You will be prosecuted by probate court upon discovery of explotation and made to pay all monies back Abuse is Abuse! If you cannot handle the responsibiltiy of the elderly in need then do not agree to take such an obligation. There are hundreds of support groups, caregivers, educators in the community, if you are taking care of a loved one and feel over burdened by it, GET HELP NOW!


- Keep In Mind – elderly individuals are helpless and incapable of making their own decisions- If you know of an elderly dependent being abused call 911 or Adult Protective Services, do not hesitate- You do not have to give your name, information you provide will be kept confidential :- Keep In Mind – elderly individuals are helpless and incapable of making their own decisions- If you know of an elderly dependent being abused call 911 or Adult Protective Services, do not hesitate- You do not have to give your name, information you provide will be kept confidential For Individuals Suspecting Abuse


What all caregivers need to keep in mind :What all caregivers need to keep in mind Remember that the elderly depending upon you for care wants nothing more than love and nurture Just because they are aged does not make them any less quality of a person than yourself One day you will be old too, do right by the people depending on you as one day you too will depend on someone for your care These are not just old people they are someone's mother, father, grandparent, friend, sister, aunt, they are a gift of god, they are special too Keep in mind that when you were young these people gave you life, raised you, nurtured you, and provided unconditional love for you now that they have aged and their mind is not whole as before they need you as you once needed them as a child Alzheimer's and Dementia are diseases in which the mind is affected. These types of individuals require around the clock support and care. They don’t mean to trouble you, make you angry to the point of abuse, they have a disease of the mind which is not their fault Always remember you are in control of your temper and there is help available to relieve you for a while, be patient as the littlest things in life mean so much to the elderly under your care. They cannot help they aged nor do they realize the way they have become Elderly people have rights, deserve to be loved, and respected