Elder Abuse, Legal and Ethical Issues
abuse - ANS-occurs when people misuse or mistreat other people, form of violence, not
necessary all the time, willfully, knowing recklessly through words or physical action
which could cause injury, harm or death
elements of abuse - ANS-residents to resident, staff to resident, resident to staff, visitor
to resident
physical abuse - ANS-use of force resulting in bodily injury, hitting, slapping, pinching,
kicking, controlling behavior through corporal punishment
signs of physical abuse - ANS-multiple or repeated injuries, unxplained skin alterations
esp. facial injury, low self esteem, visible emotional distress, withdrawn, extreme
aggression, soiled linen/clothing, social isolation
indicators of physical abuse - ANS-may cringe when touched esp unexpectedly, cannot
recall how injuries occured, offers inconsistant explanations of injuries, extremely
compliant, indiscriminately seeks affection
psychological abuse - ANS-inflection of fear, mental anguish, pain or distress though
verbal or non verbal acts. does not result in physical harm, humilation, harrasment,
threats of punishment, deprivation or intimidation,
verbal abuse - ANS-type of psychological abuse that includes any oral or written
language that includes deragratory terms
non-verbal abuse - ANS-physical behavior that accompanies words such as body
positions
elderly psychological abuse - ANS-denying or creating long waits for food, medications,
heat or basic care, taking away the victims walker, glasses, dentures, intentially failing
to follow medical, therapy or safety recommendation
signs of psychological abuse - ANS-low self esteem, withdrawn, social isolation, fear of
being touched by others, depressed or hopeless, unusal mood swings, soiled
linen/clothing
abuse - ANS-occurs when people misuse or mistreat other people, form of violence, not
necessary all the time, willfully, knowing recklessly through words or physical action
which could cause injury, harm or death
elements of abuse - ANS-residents to resident, staff to resident, resident to staff, visitor
to resident
physical abuse - ANS-use of force resulting in bodily injury, hitting, slapping, pinching,
kicking, controlling behavior through corporal punishment
signs of physical abuse - ANS-multiple or repeated injuries, unxplained skin alterations
esp. facial injury, low self esteem, visible emotional distress, withdrawn, extreme
aggression, soiled linen/clothing, social isolation
indicators of physical abuse - ANS-may cringe when touched esp unexpectedly, cannot
recall how injuries occured, offers inconsistant explanations of injuries, extremely
compliant, indiscriminately seeks affection
psychological abuse - ANS-inflection of fear, mental anguish, pain or distress though
verbal or non verbal acts. does not result in physical harm, humilation, harrasment,
threats of punishment, deprivation or intimidation,
verbal abuse - ANS-type of psychological abuse that includes any oral or written
language that includes deragratory terms
non-verbal abuse - ANS-physical behavior that accompanies words such as body
positions
elderly psychological abuse - ANS-denying or creating long waits for food, medications,
heat or basic care, taking away the victims walker, glasses, dentures, intentially failing
to follow medical, therapy or safety recommendation
signs of psychological abuse - ANS-low self esteem, withdrawn, social isolation, fear of
being touched by others, depressed or hopeless, unusal mood swings, soiled
linen/clothing
