ELDER
ABUSE AND NEGLECT
ANSWER
TO CASE PRESENTATION QUESTION
Q: Are there some clues that
elder abuse may be occurring?
A: There are several worrisome
features to this presentation, including:
- The presence of multiple
injuries in various stages of evolution
- The daughter's explanations
of the injuries are vague and of questionable plausibility,
although Parkinsonian patients are at ‚
fall risk
- The patient's overall
appearance suggests neglect (cachexia, unkempt appearance,
pressure sores)
- The daughter may be trying
to prevent you from interacting directly w/patient
- Explanation of previous
injuries vague and unsatisfactory
- Mrs. P. seems to be afraid
of her daughter
- Some characteristics of the
situation suggest ‚
risk for abuse
- Functionally impaired
patient
- Shared living
arrangement with caregiver
- The daughter's statements
infantilize the patient - "she's just like a child...she's
clumsy"
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Disclaimer
Copyright 1999, 2000 David A. Gruenewald, M.D. and
Kayla I. Brodkin, M.D. All rights reserved.