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Developed by the Canadian Nurses Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of OntarioAdapted for use by [name of PEACE site]

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MODULE 3: LEARNING

THE

LAW

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• Two-year national project between Canadian Nurses Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario from April 2010

– March 2012

• A series of education sessions implemented in 10 PEACE Sites across Canada

• Topics included are recognizing elder abuse; when and how to report elder abuse; how to intervene; and what you can do to

prevent elder abuse

• Resources and materials on NurseONE

Promoting Awareness of Elder Abuse in Long-Term Care

Objectives

By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:1. Discuss why elder abuse is under reported2. Identify how elder abuse is against the law3. Describe the reporting structure for

suspected/observed abuse in your facility

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Elder Abuse - November 18, 2009

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Canada/Ottawa/1305550861/ID=1335548812

CBC News Vignette

Why does the resident not report elder abuse?

• Does not recognize the behaviour as abusive• Does not know where to get help• Fears it will get worse• Worries about what will happen if the abuse becomes known• Feels humiliated• Takes blame for the abuse• Fears a loss of connection• Believes that family honour is at stake• Believes that privacy is at stake• Unable to express themselves (aphasia, dementia, language barriers, severe

illness)

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Why is it difficult for staff to report?

• Fear– Revenge– Job loss– Lack of support– Getting someone into

trouble– Getting involved

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Why is it difficult for staff to report?

• Lack of knowledge– What is abuse– What can be done– Law (mandatory reporting)– Resources within or outside the facility– Protocols and procedures

[Name of Province] Legislation

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Reporting Structure of [name of PEACE site]

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Case StudyCASE STUDY: Ninety year old resident is bedridden but mentally capable. Staff A

entered her room to change the bed. Resident was being treated too roughly and complained. Staff A told her “You’ll do as you are told”. Resident raised a cup as if to strike the staff , “thought better of it” and put the cup down. The staff grabbed resident’s hands and wouldn’t let go. After a short struggle resident became submissive. Staff A left and returned with Staff B. There were visible injuries on resident’s hands. On returning to the room, Staff A stated: “Oh my gosh Hazel, (resident), what did you do to yourself when I wasn’t in the room?!”

• Do you suspect abuse? If so, what type(s)?• What are you going to do about it?

Case Study(continued)

• Type of abuse is: physical and emotional abuse.

• This is reportable to the PPCO and the PCH Management Team.

• The Management Team will want to conduct an internal investigation of the staff’s involvement with this incident.

Case Study: Mrs. B

• Mrs. B is 90 years old and a resident in a LTC setting• Bedridden but mentally capable• Staff member was an Unregulated Care Provider

(UCP)• Attended Mrs. B’s room to change bed linens• Mrs. B was being treated too roughly

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Case Study: Mrs. B

• Mrs. B complained; however, the UCP told her “You’ll do as you are told”

• Mrs. B raised a cup as if to strike the UCP, “Thought better of it” and put cup down• UCP grabbed Mrs. B’s two hands and

wouldn’t let go

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Case Study: Mrs. B

• Short struggle; Mrs. B became submissive• UCP left and returned with another UCP• She said/She said situation• There are visible injuries on both of Mrs. B’s

hands

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Case Study: Mrs. BQuestions:1. Do you suspect abuse? If so, what

type(s)?

2. What are you going to do about it?

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Key Points

• There are many reasons why residents do not report elder abuse

• There are many reasons why LTC staff do not report elder abuse

• Reporting elder abuse is everyone’s responsibility

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Questions?

Resources

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What’s Next?

• Module 1: What is Elder Abuse• Module 2: Recognizing Elder Abuse• Module 3: Learning the Law

Module 4: Strategies and Interventions

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