Physical Abuse Of The Elderly For Family Members And Carers

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Physical abuse of the elderly, also called battered elder syndrome or granny battering, is a form of family violence. 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. Physical abuse occurs when someone harms an elder, or places them in danger. 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. Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, pulling hair, burning, and force-feeding. This may also include giving too much or too little medicine, or using physical restraints, knives, or firearms. Sexual abuse of an elder may also be considered physical abuse. Sexual abuse is when someone has sexual contact without that person's consent. This may include kissing, displaying genitals, or using force to have sex.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of abuse may include unexplained repeated falls or injuries. The elder may have old injuries that were not treated when they happened. Abrasions (scratches), bite marks, or marks from objects used for restraint, may also be present. He may also have blood or discharge coming from the nose, mouth, or genitals, cuts, broken bones, or scars. Physical abuse may be diagnosed by a physical exam, blood or urine tests, x-rays, or computed tomography (CT) scan. Treatment for elders who are victims of physical abuse may include medicine to treat pain, and counseling. Surgery may be needed to treat their injuries. When elder abuse is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or are victims of elder abuse.

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.
  
  
• Be 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 during the victim's 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 caregiver if he has trouble sleeping.

Care of injuries:

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

Caring for the elder victims of physical abuse:

• Be well informed about new laws that may help. Laws are in place to help those who are victims of physical or sexual abuse. Contact the police or other special agencies when elder abuse happens. Reporting physical abuse is the right thing to do. Caregivers may be required by law to report physical and sexual abuse.
  
  
• 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 physical or sexual abuse to help the victim.

Cold and warm compress:

• Cold compresses may be applied to injuries to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack may be made by putting crushed or cubed ice in a plastic bag or an ice pack. Mix some water in a bag with the ice, and wrap the bag in a towel. Do not leave the ice pack on the victim's skin for a long time as this may damage his skin.
  
  
• After the first 24 to 48 hours, heat may be use to help decrease pain or swelling. Heat brings blood to the injured area and may help it heal faster. Use a heating pad, moist warm towels, or a hot water bottle. Do not let the victim sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle as it could burn his skin. Ask for more information on how to use cold and warm compresses.

Counseling:

A caregiver may talk to you, to the victim, his family, friends, or the abuser about physical abuse. This may include what may happen if the abuse is not stopped. The victim may need to leave his current living situation to escape the abuse.

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 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.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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 Physical Abuse Of The Elderly For Family Members And Carers (Aftercare Instructions)