John Peterson - Elder Abuse/Vulnerable Adult Clinical Dilemma Activity Case Study

John Peterson - Elder Abuse/Vulnerable Adult Clinical Dilemma Activity Case Study John Peterson is an 82-year old male who is brought to the emergency department (ED) by his son because of concerns of caregiver neglect. John lives in his apartment and requires help with ADLs during the day. When the son visited his dad, he found him soaked in urine, surrounded by spoiled food, with dried vomit on his clothing. The trash cans outside the home were overflowing, and inside, there was debris and old food left on the bedroom and kitchen floors. John is complaining of pain in his feet, which he attributes to his diabetes. The son reports that his current caregiver is a family friend who has a history of drug addiction and may have relapsed. The patient is alert and oriented and admits to feeling sickly. He does not remember when he last had a glass of water. There is a distinct smell of feces and urine. Upon closer assessment, there are dried feces in his perirectal area with a large red swollen scrotum and redness in his groin folds. There is also evidence of skin tears/bleeding on the left lateral thigh that appeared to be of a friction/shear type mechanism. Mr. Peterson states that he has not had a bath in three weeks. He also reports being unable to get up from the chair by his bed without assistance for the last three days because of increasing weakness and fatigue.