Adult Health

If the nurses suspect any kind of abuse, they must ask several questions, to assess the situation. Women over 80, who need partial or total assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, are the likeliest victims. Sprains or dislocations caused by pulling or pushing.

Warning signs of abuse

Indicators of physical abuse can be: Multiple injuries in various stages of healing, multiple fractures in various stages of healing.

Physical abuse, the use of physical force that results in pain. This is because normal effects of aging, disease pathology, and functional limitations can mask signs and symptoms.

Indicators of emotional abuse are: Confusion and disorientation, fear of strangers, quietness when caregiver is present, low self-esteem and hunger for attention and socialization.

Financial abuse is the misuse of someone’s property and resources by another person. They may ask questions like the following: did someone hurt you? did someone do this to you? Has anyone ever touched you without your consent? does anyone yell at you? Are you afraid of your caregiver? Etc. Injuries in the “bathing suit” zone, like trunk, abdomen, genitalia, buttocks and upper thighs, or tooth fractures, burns to the soles, palms or buttocks.

Indicators of financial abuse are: Unexpected loss of Social Security and pension checks, anxiety about personal finances, pressure to endorse checks and failure to provide contracted services. For instance, thin aging skin is susceptible to tearing and bruising; because bruises are common in older adults, nurses may tend to accept them as normal. nguish through threats, intimidation, humiliation and isolation, is involved with 30% of the cases.

ASSESSMENT RADAR

The nurses need to assess the patient in order to determine whether or not the patient has been abused.