Healthcare Professionals Can’t Cope With Elder Abuse
The survey showed that 86 percent of nurses and professionals caring for vulnerable older people lack the appropriate training to deal with elder abuse. Over 50% interviewed said that they would not report elder abuse for fear of misinterpreting a situation, and more than 25% commented that a fear of confrontation with the abuser would stop them from speaking out.
Jean Gould, legal policy officer for Help the Aged, said:
"Nurses are clearly lacking the proper support they need to be able to protect vulnerable adults in their care. Training in elder abuse for nurses must be mandatory, together with a legal requirement for protocols to ensure that all professionals respond confidently and take effective action as quickly as possible."
"It is a national disgrace that we sit back while t
housands of older people are abused every day. All frontline professionals must be given thorough training as a matter of priority. Without it, potential new cases of abuse will go unnoticed and older people will be left at even greater risk."
Action on Elder Abuse have also called for greater awareness of the types of elder abuse, and how professionals involved in the provision of care for older people can help to eradicate such horrendous incidents. We have more stringent processes in place to protect children from incidents of abuse and there is, quite rightly, a national outcry if a child abuse case hits the headlines. However there is still much that can be done to replicate the same safeguards for our older population and in turn both generations need the full support of all involved to stamp out all kinds of abuse.
Jean Gould, legal policy officer for Help the Aged, said:
"Nurses are clearly lacking the proper support they need to be able to protect vulnerable adults in their care. Training in elder abuse for nurses must be mandatory, together with a legal requirement for protocols to ensure that all professionals respond confidently and take effective action as quickly as possible."
"It is a national disgrace that we sit back while t
Action on Elder Abuse have also called for greater awareness of the types of elder abuse, and how professionals involved in the provision of care for older people can help to eradicate such horrendous incidents. We have more stringent processes in place to protect children from incidents of abuse and there is, quite rightly, a national outcry if a child abuse case hits the headlines. However there is still much that can be done to replicate the same safeguards for our older population and in turn both generations need the full support of all involved to stamp out all kinds of abuse.
