Ethical and Legal Issues in Aging: Elder Abuse and Care

Elder Abuse

Harmful acts against older individuals in trusted relationships.

Physical Abuse

Infliction of bodily harm on older adults.

Emotional Abuse

Causing psychological distress to older individuals.

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual acts against older persons.

Financial Abuse

Exploitation of an older person's financial resources.

Neglect

Failure to provide necessary care for older adults.

Scope of Abuse

1 in 6 older adults experienced abuse recently.

Institutional Abuse

High abuse rates reported in nursing homes.

COVID-19 Impact

Increased rates of elder abuse during the pandemic.

Consequences of Abuse

Includes injuries, depression, and cognitive decline.

Functional Dependence

Reliance on others for daily activities.

Cognitive Impairment

Reduced mental function affecting daily life.

Risk Factors for Abuse

Low income, mental illness, and substance abuse.

Societal Ageism

Discrimination against older adults in society.

Prevention Strategies

Interventions like caregiver support and collaboration.

Assessment Recommendations

Maintain therapeutic relationships during assessments.

Signs of Abuse

Include unexplained injuries and behavioral changes.

Financial Abuse Signs

Missing money and sudden financial changes.

Neglect Signs

Indicators include dehydration and poor hygiene.

Interprofessional Teams

Collaboration among various professionals for care.

Therapeutic Relationship

Trust-based connection with older adults and families.

Privacy in Assessment

Confidentiality must be maintained unless legally required.

Blood Albumin

A protein in blood, important for maintaining pressure.

Assessment Tools

Methods used to evaluate older adults' needs.

Referrals

Consultations with specialists like case managers.

Older Adult Rights

Entitlements regarding lifestyle and care decisions.

Practice Recommendations

Guidelines for addressing elder abuse and neglect.

Individualized Care Plan

Customized strategy to prevent or address harm.

Education for Families

Training on recognizing and preventing elder abuse.

Safety Plan Development

Creating strategies to ensure older adults' safety.

Evaluation of Care Plan

Reviewing and adjusting care strategies collaboratively.

Mandatory Education

Required training for healthcare workers on elder care.

Ageism

Discrimination based on age, affecting elder care.

Reporting Elder Abuse

Legal obligation to report suspected elder abuse.

Long-term Care Act

Legislation mandating reporting of elder abuse.

Informed Consent

Agreement based on understanding and voluntary choice.

Health Care Consent Act

Law governing consent for healthcare decisions.

Substitute Decision-Maker

Person authorized to make decisions for another.

Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Process of discussing future healthcare preferences.

Capacity Assessment

Evaluating a person's ability to make decisions.

Public Guardian and Trustee

Last-resort decision-maker for incapable individuals.

Five Steps of ACP

Guidelines for effective advance care planning.

Communication Difficulties

Challenges in expressing or understanding information.

Physical/Social Isolation

Lack of social interaction, increasing vulnerability.

Burnout

Emotional exhaustion affecting staff performance.

Ethical Responsibility

Obligation to uphold ethical standards in care.

Effective Strategies

Proven methods for managing challenging behaviors.

Investment Case

Rationale for funding elder abuse prevention efforts.

Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM)

Person making healthcare decisions when patient is incapable.

Mental Capability

Ability to understand and make healthcare decisions.

Advance Care Planning

Process of discussing future healthcare preferences.

End-of-Life Care

Support and medical care during the dying process.

Natural Death

Death from natural causes without medical intervention.

Assisted Death

Patient self-administers medication to end life.

Active Death

Medical professional intervenes to end a life.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Process allowing eligible individuals to end life.

Clinician-Administered MAiD

Doctor administers substance causing death directly.

Self-Administered MAiD

Patient takes prescribed drug to end their life.

End-of-Life Decision Making Challenges

Difficulties in discussing and deciding on death.

Cultural Sensitivity

Awareness and respect for diverse cultural practices.

Therapeutic Communication

Supportive dialogue to facilitate patient understanding.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Teamwork among healthcare professionals for patient care.

Patient Advocacy

Supporting patients' rights and access to resources.

Ethical Professional Practice

Adhering to ethical standards in healthcare delivery.

Decision Coaching

Guiding patients in making informed healthcare choices.

Comprehensive Assessments

Thorough evaluations considering patient and family needs.

Fear of Death

Common emotional barrier to discussing end-of-life wishes.

Medication Side Effects

Adverse effects from drugs affecting mental capability.

Infection Causing Confusion

Illness leading to altered mental state and decision-making.

Dementia

Progressive cognitive decline affecting decision-making capacity.

Temporary Incapacity

Short-term inability to make healthcare decisions.