ELDER  ABUSE

Abuse and neglect of the fast-growing population of the elderly and disabled has become a widespread problem in California.   

According to a recently released U.S. General Accounting report, there were 470,000 cases of elder abuse reported to authorities in the U.S. in 2001.  It is estimated that only 1 in 5 cases of abuse are reported

Abuses such as assault, rape, unreasonable physical restraint, prolonged deprivation of food or water, and the use of chemical restraint not prescribed by a physician are common.  Additionally, elderly or disabled persons who are unable to care for themselves are subjected to neglect through the caregiver’s failure to assist the patient in personal hygiene or in the provision of food, clothing, and shelter, the failure to provide medical care when needed, failure to protect from safety hazards, and failure to prevent malnutrition. 

Abuse by healthcare professionals and staff in healthcare institutions is being addressed by intensified employee background checks, in addition to wellness check investigations and covert surveillance investigations where abuse is suspected. 

Abuse and neglect can be concealed; however, there are warning signs of such activity:

·         Unexplained broken bones, bed sores, bruises, burns or cuts.

·         Frequent withdraws from bank accounts including but not limited to transfers.

·         Complaints of negligence that point to a lack of funds or resources.

·         Weight loss, hygiene issues and loss of clothing.

·         Denied or delayed access to visitors by nursing home staff.

·         Changes in the patient’s desire to communicate with friends or family members.

·         Complaints about caregivers including janitorial staff members in the nursing home. 

Elder Abuse defined:  Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expection of trust or negligence which causes harm or distress to an older person.

Wellness Check Investigations:  Investigators make an unscheduled site visit to the nursing home, visit the patient and observe patient interaction with staff members.  Patients who receive frequent or high profile visitors often receive better treatment in facilities where abuse or neglect occurs.  The investigator will spend time speaking with the staff and the patient at the care center.  A digital video of the inside and outside of the care center is taken to document the actual living conditions, cleanliness, as well as the appearance of the building and the surrounding neighborhood.

Investigations where abuse is suspected: Investigators make an unscheduled site-visit to the nursing home, private home, retirement community, hospital, hospice, etc. to observe living conditions, general care of patients in view, and observe the condition of the patient in question.  The investigator will report the findings to the family of the patient.  With consent of the patient or the patient’s family, a covert camera can be installed in the patient’s room to observe and record the care and treatment provided to the patient.  Former employees and/or patients of the care facility can be interviewed to establish the pattern of normal care provided to patients as well as facility standards relating to training, staffing, availability of supplies, supervision, etc.

All findings are documented in a report, which is provided to either the family of the patient or the attorney representing the patient.

For More Information on Elder Abuse, click on the following links:

http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Elder_Rights/Elder_Abuse/Elder_Abuse.asp

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ea.htm

http://da.co.la.ca.us/seniors/default.htm   (LA County District Attorney's Office)