OVERVIEW

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is a growing problem in the U.S., with a reported 1.5 million citizens having received some form of abuse. This number is probably an underestimation because authorities indicate that only about one out of every eight cases of abuse is reported.

Most often, elder abuse occurs at the hands of family members. However, some elders are abused at the hands of non-professional care providers or in the residential long-term care setting at the hands of professional care providers.

Nurses and others in the ambulatory care setting must understand elder abuse and the risk factors involved. They must also be able to recognize the signs of abuse in order to properly report it and keep it from happening on a larger scale.

This course focuses on types and signs of abuse, factors that put elderly individuals at greater risk for abuse, and Florida's elder abuse reporting guidelines. Learners will be given the information necessary to recognize signs of abuse in an ambulatory care setting. They will learn how to properly report cases of suspected elder abuse.

To complete this course, you must do the following:

1. Read the Overview and Course Objectives.
2. Study the Terminology.
3. Read the course material.
4. Complete the Learning Activity.
5. Complete the Post Test with a score of 80% or more.

PURPOSE/OVERALL GOAL

The purpose of this course is to provide Florida care providers in the ambulatory setting an understanding of the importance of recognizing elder abuse, both to assist the patient's continuing care and quality of life, and to avoid legal implications. The course will provide learners with the educational tools necessary to allow them to recognize and report suspected abuse.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

• Describe types and signs of elder abuse.
• Identify factors that put elders at risk of being abused.
• Describe steps that should be taken if elder abuse is suspected.
• Identify when reporting is necessary, and how and where to report suspected abuse.

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