Elder Abuse Report

After watching this video about Elder abuse, I have learned a lot from it and be responsible if elder abuse is suspected. I did not know about that we will be fined or even jailed if we did not report an abuse of elders. I thought if abuse is suspected we needed to report to our facility’s social worker, case manager and let them deal with the situation instead of calling Adult Protective services. I loved the fact the video pointed out we should not be afraid to report abuse and it is totally anonymous. There are many ways older adults are neglected, abused both physically and verbally. Elder abuse can be intentional or unintentional by caregivers, family members or even at elderly care facilities. There are several forms of elder abuse such as: neglect, physical abuse, financial abuse and emotional

Neglect in elder can occur when caregiver fails to provide basic needs of them which includes, food, clothing, medications, or home for older people. Physical abuse of elder can be such as: hitting, burning, pushing and molesting. And Emotional abuse is when caregivers are using threats, intimidations, verbal abuse or isolation. “As nurses, we have ethical and legal responsibilities to report elder abuse as we are mandated reporters” (Touhy & Jett, 2016, p. 424). As nurses, we have to be vigilant for all this signs and symptoms and screen for elder abuse and neglect and if abuse is witnessed or possible suspicion of abuse we need to report immediately to ombudsman or Adult Protective Services. In my job area, I have not seen an abuse, However, I want to be a nurse who will be an advocate for any of my patients especially elders and very young patients who can’t stand up for themselves, frail, week and been