The nurse distrusts the male caregiver, the son of an older female adult, and collaborates with social services about potential resources for abused older adults

Question

Which characteris-tics of the caregiver does the nurse report to social services as indicators of potential elder abuse? a. Collects unemployment benefits
b. Finds fault with any nursing care
c. Takes frequent breaks for smoking
d. Lives in the same house as his mother
e. Makes demands on assistive personnel
f. Sits at patient's bedside for hours daily

Answer 1

B, D, E

a. Incorrect. Lack of employment is not a characteristic of an elder abuser although this problem can frustrate the individual; however, financial dependency on the abused is a predictor for abuse.
b. Correct. The male caregiver—and son—of this woman criticizes the nursing care exces-sively and demonstrates a lack of appreciation, a common characteristic of an elder abuser.
c. Incorrect. Although smoking is an unhealthy habit and exposes the older adult to second-hand unhealthy air, smoking is not a characteristic of an elder abuser.
d. Correct. Because the majority of caregiving occurs in the home and the majority of abuse occurs in the family, this caregiver has characteristics of a potential abuser.
e. Correct. Aggressive, combative, provocative, and overly demanding behavior is characte-ristic of an elder abuser.
f. Incorrect. This characteristic in isolation is not a characteristic of an elder abuser because concerned, caring family members keep bedside vigils, also.