While we all hope that this is something that we never come across, you may at some time find yourself at a placement where you suspect that things are not all as they should be.
Older people are often seen as easy targets for abuse – which may even come from immediate families. They are seen this way because often they cannot report or identify abuse. Clients with communication problems are a very high risk because they cannot tell another person.
Signs of abuse can be hard to spot, and it may be that all you have is a ‘gut feeling’ that things are somehow not right.
What is abuse?
Abuse can take many forms. Hitting, slapping and pushing are obvious although some others are less noticeable. Money taken without consent, social contact which is denied and threatening behaviour towards your client will all frighten them to the point where they are afraid to tell anyone.
Types of abuse
Who is at risk for abuse?
Because live-in care work involves working with people who are elderly, disabled or ill you should consider every client you work for as being vulnerable and at risk of abuse.
Any adult over 18 years of age who relies on other people to help them in their daily life is at risk.
Who can be an abuser?
Anyone can be an abuser. Unfortunately, this also includes friends, family, neighbours, informal carers and paid carers. Strangers can also be abusers. In fact, anyone who has power over a vulnerable person can be an abuser.
What do I do if I suspect abuse?
If you work for an agency, your first port of call is to speak to your support team. Even if you only suspect your client is being abused by someone you need to tell your team. Make sure that you have documented any signs of abuse, with dates and times.
If you are a private live-in carer and you suspect abuse of any kind, you should call Age UK Advice and discuss your thoughts with them. They will instruct you what to do next and refer you to the correct person.
www.ageuk.org.uk
0800 169 65 65
Lines are open seven days a week from 8.00am to 7.00pm
If the abuse comes in a physical form, you should never interfere other than getting yourself and your client to a safe place. After that you should call the police who will take matters from there.
To sum up
Often the signs of abuse are difficult to see. You may simply become aware that your client is afraid of another person or always short of money when you need to go shopping. You may notice that they become withdrawn when a certain person comes to visit or that personal items go missing. All these are tell-tale signs that something is not right.
Do not attempt to ignore these signs. If your client confides in you about any abuse, you need to report it to you team. Never keep that information to yourself. Above all never accuse the abuser, rather leave that to the police.
Abuse is unfortunately more common than we would like to believe. Reporting it may make you feel like a whistle blower but keeping your client safe should be your number one priority.
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