Consumer Information

Elder Neglect

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 any person that is caring for an elder may unknowingly or on purpose neglect them.
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 elder neglect. Elder abandonment is when someone has withdrawn or given up support to an elder.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 may be given.
Signs and symptoms of elder neglect may include body pain, weakness, weight loss, and poor hygiene or wearing dirty clothes. You 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 a 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.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Elder neglect is a serious, life-threatening problem, and treatment should be given as soon as possible. Some medicines may cause rashes, nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or stomach ulcers (sores). You may bleed or get an infection if you have surgery to treat your wounds, injuries, or other diseases. Being away from your family or friends and going to counseling may be hard and painful.
If elder neglect is left untreated, you may develop serious health and mental problems. You may have dehydration or malnutrition (problems with nutrition). When this happens, you may pass out, have seizures (convulsions), or body organs may not work right. Repeated acts of family violence and negligence may lead to severe (very bad) injuries or death. The earlier elder neglect is found and treated, the better the chances of preventing future problems. Your health, quality of life, and ability to function may improve if elder neglect is stopped. Ask your caregivers if you are worried or have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Activity: At first, you may need to rest in bed and get plenty of sleep. If you have trouble breathing or chest pain, call your caregiver right away.

Diet and nutrition: Eat a variety of healthy foods every day. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. A special diet may be considered depending on your condition. A caregiver, called a dietitian, may talk to you about your feeding and nutrition. You may be told to eat foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, or salt.

If you have problems eating by mouth you may need thickened liquids to drink or soft foods to eat. Some examples are applesauce, baby food, bananas, cooked cereal, cottage cheese, eggs, gelatin, pudding, and yogurt.
You may need to be fed by an IV or a nasogastric (NG) tube. An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid. An NG tube is put in through the nose and goes down into the stomach.

Medicines: You may need any of the following:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.
Other medicines: Different medicines may be given if you have other conditions that must be treated. These may include medicines to treat your high blood pressure or sugar, cancer, or heart or kidney diseases.

Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen.

Tests: You may be given a dye before pictures are taken for some of the following tests. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have other allergies. You may need any of the following:

Blood and urine tests: Samples of blood and urine may be sent to a lab for tests.
Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your head and body. It will look at your bones, muscles, blood vessels, and organs.
12-lead ECG: This test, also called an EKG, helps caregivers look for damage or problems in different areas of the heart. Caregivers may need to prepare your skin by shaving off some hair, or cleaning it with a gritty lotion. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. A short period of electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded. Caregivers will look closely for certain problems or changes in how your heart is working. This test takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is important that you lie as still as possible during the test. You may need this test more than once.
Neurologic signs: Neurologic signs are also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. Caregivers check your eyes, your memory, and how easily you wake up. Your hand grasp and balance may also be tested. This helps tell caregivers how your brain is working after an injury or illness. You may need to have your neuro signs checked often. Your caregiver may even have to wake you up to check your neuro signs.
X-rays: You may need to have x-rays. Caregivers may use these pictures to see if any bones have been broken or are displaced. X-rays of your chest and abdomen (stomach) may also be taken.

Treatment options: You may need any of the following:

Counseling: Your caregiver may talk to you, your family, friends, or those who should be held responsible for elder neglect. This may include what may happen if elder neglect is not stopped. You may need to leave your current living situation to escape your condition.
Surgery or wound care: You may need surgery to treat injuries, wounds, or other health conditions.

Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

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.

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