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INTRODUCTION 

Optimal patient care requires that the EMT-I understand the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and reporting responsibilities associated with suspected dependent adult or elder abuse.  The following topics will be discussed during this lesson:

            •           Risk factors associated with suspected elder abuse

            •           Findings that lead the prehospital care worker to develop a high index of suspicion

            •           Signs and symptoms associated with possible elder abuse or neglect

            •           Reporting responsibilities of prehospital care professionals

LESSON OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson the participants will be able to:

1.         Verbalize risk factors known to be associated with dependent adult or elder abuse.

2.         Discuss factors that would lead the prehospital care professional to develop a high index of suspicion.

3.         State the signs and symptoms associated with dependent adult or elder abuse.

4.         Describe the EMT-I responsibilities in caring for a suspected elder abuse victim.

5.         Describe the EMT-I responsibilities in reporting suspected elder abuse.

KEY VOCABULARY

The following terms will be used during this lesson:

·          Elder adults - age 65 or over.

·          Dependent adults - age 18 to 64 with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities

KEY CONCEPTS 

The following section provides information and space for taking notes on the key concepts discussed by the instructor.

 

ELDER AND DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE - OVERVIEW

Risk factors associated with elder abuse

•           Chronic illness, physical or developmental disability

•           Social factors (alcohol/drug abuse, poverty, stress)

•           Rigid and unrealistic caregivers

Factors that arouse a high index of suspicion

•           Mechanism of injury is inconsistent with the injuries

·                     Vague description of the mechanism of injury

·                     Wounds or bruises in various stages of healing

·                     Unclean conditions

·                     Injuries consistent with being intentionally inflicted

·                     Delay in seeking treatment

Signs and symptoms of dependent adult or elder abuse

•           Multiple pressure sores

·                     Malnourished appearance

·                     Dirty

·                     Abnormal affect

FIELD MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED ELDER AND DEPENDENT

ADULT ABUSE

·        BLS procedures

·          Treat physical injuries appropriately

·          Follow appropriate reporting procedures

·          Be non-judgmental

·          Transport

·        ALS procedure

·          Venous access prn

EMT-I REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES IN SUSPECTED ELDER OR DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE

·        Immediate verbal report to the law enforcement agency or appropriate agency.

·        Written report within 2 working days of the verbal report

·        Prehospital Care Policy manual references 829, 829.1, 829.2, 829.3

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