When focusing on older adults, the nurse must be aware that

Question

a. Elder abuse happens in lower socioeconomic classes only.
b. Elders have the same social networks as younger people.
c. Caregivers may be spouses or middle-age children.
d. Caregiver stress is minimal when caring for a parent.

Answer 1

ANS: C
Caregivers are typically spouses, who may be older adults with declining physical stamina, or middle-age children, who often have other responsibilities. Abuse of older adults in families occurs across all social classes. Later-life families have a different social network than younger families because friends and same-generation family members often have died or have been ill themselves. The nurse should assess for caregiver stress such as tension in relationships between family and care recipient, changes in level of health, changes in mood, and anxiety and depression.