Elder Neglect For Family Members And Carers

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Elder neglect is the most common form of family violence and physical abuse of the elderly. An older person may be called an elder. There is no set age for an elder, but it may be defined as when a person retires at the age of 60 or 65 years old. In certain countries, it may be when a person physically cannot do his usual family or work roles anymore. Elder neglect occurs when someone fails to fulfill his obligation of taking care and meeting the needs of an elder. Family members or a carer of an elder may unknowingly or on purpose be an abuser. A carer is someone who is paid or not paid for caring for the elderly victim.
  
  
• Elder neglect includes not giving food, clothing, shelter, medicine, or care that is needed for everyday living. This may also involve not bathing, dressing, or feeding the elder. Abandonment and medical abuse may also be considered as elder neglect. Elder abandonment is when someone has withdrawn or given up supporting an elder. This may include completely leaving the elder alone in an unsafe place. With medical abuse, needed treatments are not given, or the wrong amount of medicine is given.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of elder neglect may include body pain, weakness, weight loss, and being dirty or wearing dirty clothes. The victim may have depression or worsening health conditions that were not treated. Dehydration (loss of too much body fluids and electrolytes) and pressure ulcers (bed sores) may also be present. Elder neglect may be found by physical exam, blood or urine tests, x-rays, or computed tomography (CT) scan. Treatment for elders who are victims of neglect may include medicines to treat present diseases, and counseling. Surgery and wound care may be needed to treat any injuries. When elder neglect is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or are victims of elder neglect.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of these medicines, the amounts, and when and why the victim needs them. Bring the list of his medicines or the pill bottles when you see his caregivers. Learn why the victim takes each medicine. Ask for information about the medicines. Do not let the victim take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Make sure all medicine is used as directed by caregivers. Call his caregiver if you think the victim's medicines are not helping or if you feel he is having side effects. Do not let the victim quit taking his medicines until he discusses it with his caregiver. If he is taking antibiotics, he must take all of them even if he already feels better.
  
  
• If the victim is taking medicines that make him drowsy, do not let him drive or leave him alone.

Follow-up visits:

Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have about the victim's condition, treatment, or care. Ask these questions at the next caregiver visit.

Activity and rest:

The victim may need to rest in bed and get plenty of sleep. He may want to nap during the day. Tell the victim's caregivers if he has trouble sleeping.

Care of injuries or wounds:

If the victim has injuries, ask his caregiver for information about how to take care of them.

Caring for the victim of elder neglect:

• Be well informed about laws that may help. Laws are in place to help those who are victims of elder neglect. Contact the police or other special agencies when elder abuse happens. Reporting elder neglect is the right thing to do. Caregivers may be required by law to report elder neglect.
  
  
• Help the victim to be patient and keep his hopes up for improvement. Help the victim to be patient and not to be too hard on himself. Teach him to be the first one to encourage himself and find ways to boost his self-esteem. Working together with people whom the victim can trust may help him get through the hard times.
  
  
• Learn more about abuse of the elderly. The more you know about elder abuse, the better you will be able to help the victim. Ask his caregiver for good sources of information. Work with his caregiver and other people recovering from elder neglect to help the victim.

Counseling:

A caregiver may talk to you, to the victim, his family, friends, or those who should be held responsible for elder neglect. This may include what may happen if elder neglect is not stopped. The victim may need to leave his current living situation to escape the abuse.

Skin care:

A special mattress called an egg crate or air mattress may be put on the victim's bed. He will need to be turned often if he cannot move by himself. Turning often will keep him from getting bed sores.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The elder victim cannot get to the next meeting with his caregiver.
  
  
• The elder victim has new signs and symptoms since the last time he visited his caregiver.
  
  
• You or the victim has questions or concerns about his condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The victim develops pressure sores.
  
  
• The victim feels like hurting himself or someone else.
  
  
• The victim feels that he cannot cope with the abuse, or his recovery from it.
  
  
• The victim has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Elder Neglect For Family Members And Carers (Aftercare Instructions)