{"id":3374,"date":"2017-08-02T09:50:46","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T23:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wiseworkplacetraining.com.au\/2021\/09\/11\/investigating-allegations-of-abuse-in-care-in-aged-care-facilities\/"},"modified":"2017-08-02T09:50:46","modified_gmt":"2017-08-01T23:50:46","slug":"investigating-allegations-of-abuse-in-care-in-aged-care-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wiseworkplace.com.au\/2017\/08\/investigating-allegations-of-abuse-in-care-in-aged-care-facilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Investigating Allegations of Abuse in Care in Aged Care Facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Aged care providers have been in the media spotlight in recent weeks. While some are alleged to have financially exploited the elderly others are alleged to have provided a substandard level of care. Research conducted by Curtin University in 2015 suggests that some 167,000 older Australians may be subject to abuse annually.<\/p>\n
Like many other types of domestic or sexual violence, it is also likely that elder abuse is significantly under-reported, so the true scope of abuse may be far greater.<\/p>\n
According to the World Health Organisation, elder abuse is ‘a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person<\/em>.’ The perpetrators of elder abuse can include children, spouses, friends and neighbours, or staff at care facilities where the victims reside.<\/p>\n There are many different forms of elder abuse, including:<\/p>\n Potential signs of the various types of elder abuse include:<\/p>\n Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Care providers and employers should ensure that any behavioural or physical changes in their clients are observed and monitored, particularly sudden ones, which occur without explanation.<\/p>\n In terms of the Aged Care Act 1997, Section 63-1AA the definition of a mandatory reportable incident for persons in residential care include unlawful sexual contact and unreasonable use of force on a resident.<\/p>\n Providers are required to report to the Department of Health and the Police within 24 hours if they have any suspicion or allegation of reportable assault.<\/p>\n For person receiving home or flexible care, reportable incidents to the Department of Health include financial abuse. This does not extend to residents in aged care facilities, however, residents’ financial abuse still needs to be reported to the Police.<\/p>\n In the context of care facilities, the greatest risk factors for elder abuse include:<\/p>\n Residents who may be particularly likely to become victims of elder abuse include those who are physically or mentally frail, or those who may be perceived as being very unpleasant to work with – causing care workers to demonstrate inappropriate frustration or aggression.<\/p>\n Apart from remaining vigilant about the potential risk factors and apparent signs of elder abuse, care facilities must ensure that:<\/p>\n Mild memory loss and a slowing down of thinking is a natural part of ageing. But while many elderly people are still capable of managing their own affairs, others who have serious conditions such as dementia may lose the capacity to do so.<\/p>\n In some cases, the simple fact that a person has an ageing memory may mean that they are treated as though they do not have any capacity to make decisions for themselves, and are thus at greater risk of elder abuse.<\/p>\n In the context of patients with dementia or other serious memory loss issues, any complaints they raise may be discounted out of hand as being fabricated. However, when coupled with other signs of potential elder abuse, they should be investigated.<\/p>\n Complications can also arise around eyewitness memory and conducting interviews in workplace investigations. In such cases, cognitive interviewing techniques can be helpful.<\/p>\n This may include allowing a witness to draw a sketch or use visualisation techniques, asking them to explain everything that occurred, taking them over events in reverse order, and asking them about how they were feeling at the time of the event can all assist in memory recall.<\/p>\n Conducting investigations into elder abuse in care contexts can be challenging. The WISE Workplace team is experienced in conducting independent, competent and unbiased investigations into reportable conduct and abuse complaints in care settings. Contact us to discuss your needs, and how we can help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
what are the signs?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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common risk factors for elder abuse<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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How to prevent the risk of ELDER ABUSE<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM THE AGEING MEMORY<\/h3>\n