discussion 3
DISCUSSION BORD
The threaded discussion will provide the student with the opportunity to explore different topics, share what he/she is learning with classmates, and gain clarity about the content. This assignment reflects student centered independent learning.
The student will: •Apply critical thinking through participation of selected topics •Engage in thoughtful discourse with peers •Incorporate topic discussion into clinical judgment and decision making within the setting
Scenario: Abuse • Mr. CO is a 75, year old male. He was admitted to your unit with Pulmonary Fibrosis. As you are walking towards his room to administer medications you hear his son say to him in a nasty tone of voice: “Stop being so stubborn. I need you to give me access to your bank accounts. You’re going to die alone unless you start cooperating”. As you enter he room, the son leaves quickly and you notice the patient has tears in his eyes. You ask “Is everything okay?” Mr. CO shakes his head yes, but remains nonverbal and does not make eye contact. You administer his medications and leave the room.
Directions: Part 1: •The original post must be at least 200 – 300 words in length
•What types of elder abuse did you notice in the scenario? (give examples and explain) •What signs, (in the scenario) if any suggest that the nurse should ask some follow up questions? •As a nurse in this scenario what is your next action? •How can older adults protect themselves from ever becoming victims of abuse or mistreatment?
Part 2: •Post one response to the original post of any classmate
•Your response should be 50+ words
•Posting should ask for clarification, challenge respectfully ideas, or describe a situation that illustrates the points being made. Simply agreeing or disagreeing with a post is NOT adequate.
Response 1
What types of elder abuse did you notice in the scenario? (give examples and explain) 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 cause harm or distress to an older adult (World Health Organization) This is an example of emotional, potential financial abuse. The client’s son threatened his father over access to his money otherwise he is going to die alone. Forging an older adult’s signature, misusing, or stealing and forcing an elderly to contribute for bills is also an example. Financial abuse is an illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds or assets and this can be devasting to the victim. This is usually traced to family members, trusted friends and even caregivers (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).
•What signs, (in the scenario) if any suggest that the nurse should ask some follow up questions? The signs that was present in this scenario is threat of abandonment if the patient does not operate. The client’s son threatened his father to give him access to his bank account or otherwise he is going to die now
•As a nurse in this scenario what is your next action? The nurse could talk to his /her supervisor, inform the social worker on staff, possibly talk to the client to get more information about the situation and report to adult protective services.
•How can older adults protect themselves from ever becoming victims of abuse or mistreatment? Elder abuse is a serious issue that can have harmful effects on the victim. Some ways that an adult can protect themselves from abuse is to be informed about how to recognize an abuse. Learn about the signs and the difference of aging process. Speak up if able when something does not seem right. Sometimes it is hard for these older adults to report because it may be their biological son or daughter, spouse, close family members, but it is important to report a suspected abuse to the Protective Services.
Response 2
In this scenario I believe this is an example of financial and psychological abuse. In the scenario the son states that he needs access to his father's bank accounts which leads me to say financial and psychological because the son is using verbal words to hurt the father's feelings deliberately without action. The son states that the father will die if he does not start cooperating with him which sounds like the son is using verbal words to mentally weaken the father.
Overhearing the son talk to his father in this way would prompt me to ask more questions other than "are you okay" because a yes or a no answer is not sufficient if the father is being threaten. I would inquire more based on the following signs: the son threatening the father, the tone of the son's voice, the deliberating use of negative violent words towards the father, and the father is crying. I would ask follow up questions; however, I would be sensitive and discrete as well. My goal is to keep my patient safe, so I would not leave the patient alone after I administered his medications. I would create a short term goal which would include client's safety and I would allow the client to express himself.
According to Lacher et. al (2016) elderly abuse is deemed as taboo and many abuse cases goes unreported. Many elders try to mask the abuse by not reporting or giving in to whatever the abuser wants. Healthcare providers can educate elders and the community on how to suspect elder abuse and if suspected report it to the adult social service. Elders can create trust funds or invest their money, so the money won't be so accessible in bank accounts. Elders need to create a secret code to communicate that they need help due to being abused, so providers will know that they need help. Elders can also attend community events if possible; this allows the elder to connect with people and the community will be more incline to look after the elder.