Assessing Neglect (From Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Older Persons: Strategies for Assessment and Intervention, P 89- 103, 1996, Lorin A Baumhover and S Colleen Beall, eds. -- See 163840)

• NCJ Number: 163845
• Author(s): T T Fulmer; E S Gould
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Health Professions Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter focuses on defining neglect of the elderly in a useful context in order to help clinicians better assess elderly patients for the presence of neglect.

Abstract

Problems in conceptualizing neglect are the result of several factors, including nonstandardized definitions for key terms, the absence of empirically tested defining characteristics, and a paucity of good research. Neglect has been conceptualized and defined in a variety of ways. Terms such as "caregiver neglect," "self-neglect," "passive neglect," and "active neglect" are used in the literature and the law to help define elderly neglect. Clinicians who are bound by State regulations for reporting abuse and neglect find the regulations inadequate to the task, because none of the aforementioned terms, when used alone, clarifies appropriate methods for clinicians to assess neglect. It is necessary to understand how these term must interact in order to create a complete, useful definition of neglect. The varied terms associated with defining neglect must be viewed within two conceptual constructs. The first construct is the "presence of neglect;" this involves positive identification of neglect that is distinguishable from the effects of age and disease. The second construct is the "nature of neglect;" this involves the interaction of passive, active, self-imposed, and caregiver-caused neglect in an "elder neglect chart." A single definition of neglect that is useful to the clinician is based on these two constructs in the elder neglect schematic. This chapter provides instruction in how to use the elder neglect chart to determine the level of neglect. No single comprehensive assessment instrument exists on which clinicians can agree. Parameters that are generally considered by the American Medical Association to be important in assessment include safety, access to the elderly person, cognitive status, emotional status, health and functional status, social and financial resources, and frequency and severity of mistreatment. Each domain should be reflected in whatever elder assessment instrument an agency chooses to use. 1 figure, 1 table, 13 references, and an elder abuse assessment form