UNIT 10 HSC LO1 Cambridge Technical Level 3
- 1. Abuse in adults A guidance presentation
- 2. Contents â—Ź What forms abuse takes â—Ź Physical abuse, the signs and the effects â—Ź Sexual abuse, the signs and the effects â—Ź Emotional abuse, the signs and the effects â—Ź Financial abuse, the signs and the effects â—Ź Institutional abuse, the signs and the effects â—Ź Self-neglect, the signs and the effects â—Ź Neglect from others, the signs and the effects â—Ź
- 3. Abuse You have to know what different types of abuse there are, as there are many that you may not have thought of as abuse before. Physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, financial, institutional, self-neglect and neglect by others are all forms of abuse.
- 4. Physical abuse A deliberate use of physical force, which can result in pain, injury or impairment. In this centre we do not tolerate the inappropriate use of technique or treatment, involuntary isolation and misuse of medication treatments; these are all abuse. At Glendale we have careful monitoring of all kinds of abuse and their effects. The effects of physical abuse are devastating, and can ruin lives.
- 5. The signs of physical abuse If you see or suspect any maltreatment you should report it to the relevant authority straight away. â—Ź Forced restraint is evident in bruising around arms and wrists â—Ź Misuse of medication includes not allowing appropriate pain medication to be given, or giving additional sedatives when they are not needed â—Ź Burns or scars in odd shapes and places, such as that from cigarette ends or weapons â—Ź As well as broken bones, or untreated old wounds.
- 6. The effects of physical abuse Alongside physical effects like impairments and permanent injury this form of abuse can break down relationships at the centre, and have a domino affect with their lives outside. They could feel guarded and not want to be open with people anymore. They could slip out of their daily functioning from irrational fear brought on from the abuse. Mental health issues may arise, such as anxiety disorders from fear of physical abuse, they may turn to alternative methods of coping other than more treatment like that of drug abuse. This may spiral into other more dangerous forms of mental health disorders. We do not tolerate physical abuse.
- 7. Sexual abuse Consent is paramount in sexual interactions. Sexual interactions whether direct or indirect without consent is abuse. Consent is not given if the person does not want to consent, they are unable to consent through lack of understanding or they feel that they are being forced into consenting, through threats or other forms of psychological abuse. Sexual abuse can also take the forms of vaginal or anal rape, inappropriate touching, forcing an individual to see indecent material and sexual innuendoes
- 8. The signs of sexual abuse Immediate signs of sexual abuse include; â—Ź Soreness or injury or genital area (vaginal or anal) â—Ź Bruising, and small wounds from scratching or biting over the chest and inner thigh area â—Ź Unexplained sudden sexual knowledge or engagement in inappropriate sexual conversation There are also more mental signs of sexual abuse; â—Ź Sudden withdrawal from social contact â—Ź Avoidance of being alone with a certain people/group of people
- 9. The effects of sexual abuse This is very serious, and very life changing for those who experience it. The effects may include, â—Ź Low self-esteem and self-hatred â—Ź Guilt, shame or blame themselves for what has happened to them because they did not stop it or felt pleasure â—Ź Many adult survivors find themselves in dangerous, serious or abusive relationships â—Ź Eating disorders to gain some control over their lives or punish themselves â—Ź Sleeping disorders or nightmares are common also We do not tolerate sexual abuse
- 10. Emotional/psychological abuse A vulnerable adults mental well-being is fragile, even without abuse against them. If another damages someone's mental well-being, dignity or self worth, it is emotional abuse. Threats, bullying, intimidation, humiliation or other verbal conduct all can cause mental or physical distress. Even making decisions for them that they have a right to be apart of can be abuse. It is sometimes more harmful than other forms of abuse because it diminishes the adults identity, dignity and self worth. It removes their person-hood
- 11. The signs of emotional abuse Signs vary through age and gender but there are constants throughout both; â—Ź Being overly dependant/totally withdrawn â—Ź Social, emotional or academic delays â—Ź Feelings of shame/guilt â—Ź Self-destructive behaviour â—Ź Demonstrate compulsions, hysteria, obsessions and phobias â—Ź Unusual weight gain/loss and changes in appetite â—Ź Unexplained anxiety or depressive states
- 12. The effects of emotional abuse The short term and long term effects are different but equally devastating. We do not tolerate emotional abuse. â—Ź Feelings manipulated and controlled â—Ź Becoming overly compliant/passive â—Ź Withdrawal and disinterest/self-isolation â—Ź Emotional instability â—Ź Sleep disruptions/disorders â—Ź Feeling trapped and alone â—Ź Substance abuse is also common
- 13. Financial abuse This control or dominance over another persons money or personal possession, telling them whether or not they can spend it, and often ends in gains for the dominant person who has no right to that money. If you suspect anyone, even family members or other visitors to the clients here of financial abuse please tell the relevant authorities or supervisor. Some vulnerable adults have no ability to talk about what is happening. It is a very sensitive issue one that we have no real right to address ourselves unless we have a strong suspicion as we cannot have access to their accounts. Also if adults in our care have mental health issues their complaints may not be totally reliable, so use caution, but always believe them at first.
- 14. The signs of financial abuse These can be hard to spot especially in elderly adults who wouldn't want to voice their worries, this can occur when they have children whom they give money too who are taking too much. Others are; â—Ź A reluctance to spend money when money shouldn't be a problem â—Ź Missing money, credit card, bank card and chequebooks â—Ź Being under pressure to change their will (for the family benefit) â—Ź No food in their home or in their rooms where they keep it
- 15. The effects of financial abuse There are obvious effects like their inability to pay bills, inability to buy food or afford things which they should. There are other effects like these below; â—Ź Feelings of distress of powerlessness â—Ź On going financial strain on their lives â—Ź They may be without things they desperately need, like food, heating and medication Keep it in mind that these people are vulnerable anyway, so this will make them even more vulnerable. They need support care, and someone to defend them professionally.
- 16. Institutional abuse This is where the way an institution like Glendale wellness centre is designed to override the needs of its clients in its own interest. It is abuse that is in the nature of the way the centre is set up, and constantly provides poor care for its clients. We pride ourselves on having a system that is wholly for the people we have in our care. We are a wellness centre designed to make vulnerable people better. That being said, if you feel that this is a centre of systematic abuse please report your concerns to the relevant authorities.
- 17. The signs of institutional abuse â—Ź The needs of the clients are not taken first, the activities and choices available are for the convenience of the staff. â—Ź People are diverse, if cultural and social needs are not met this is abuse â—Ź If there is an inflexibility for meal times, bed times, activity or visiting times it can have adverse affects on the clients â—Ź Restrictions on toilets, cleaning facilities and or resting space â—Ź Inadequate and inappropriate training and procedures that staff have to work by
- 18. The effects of institutional abuse There are obvious effects of institutional abuse, but they all focus on the fact that the clients in an institutions care are not getting the care they need. Whether this care is support, freedoms in contained areas, treatment or medication. The effects of long term institutional effects can affect someone's mental well-being; feelings of powerlessness, withdrawal and over compliance are a few.
- 19. Self-Neglect Self neglect can be unintentional and intentional. People who have cognitive difficulties or who are confused (Dementia) may not know they are neglecting themselves. Intentional self-neglect can be the effect of a range of other abuses, or a way to express their inner difficulties. Because self-neglect can be caused by a range of reasons we need to take every case very seriously and support them with friendliness and empathy.
- 20. The signs of self-neglect Neglect means not doing things that have a important role and should be done. For the self these include, â—Ź Not caring for their personal hygiene â—Ź Not eating their food or overeating â—Ź Not exercising â—Ź Living in an unsanitary environment â—Ź Self-harming â—Ź When in need, not seeking medical or social care â—Ź Not getting treatment for their illnesses
- 21. The effects of self-neglect â—Ź Skin rashes â—Ź Dehydration â—Ź Malnutrition/under-nutrition â—Ź Not having much needed aids like haring aids, dentures and eye glasses â—Ź Suffer from illness that they would not have had if they were not neglecting themselves â—Ź Serious impairments in vision or other bodily functions
- 22. Neglect by others Like self-neglect this is the deliberate (commission) or unintentional (omission) failure to meet the clients needs, be it emotional, or physical in ways of support or food, heat, and sleep. At Glendale we strive to have the best environment for each of our clients, whether it is for religious or cultural reasons, their special needs or preferences. Our focus is them 100% of the time. If you feel their needs are not being adequately met, from their daily routine, the resources they have access to or simply the way they are treated daily, please do not hesitate to voice your opinion to your supervisor.
- 23. The signs of neglect â—Ź Their right to choose/ decide is not being recognised â—Ź Not providing the appropriate food, sleeping arrangements, shelter or feeling of safety â—Ź Not giving/withholding â—Ź Not allowing the client to have visitors or access to others â—Ź Not meeting their emotional, physical or social needs â—Ź Not reporting abuse (duty of care)
- 24. The effects of neglect The effects of neglect are detrimental to the person â—Ź Confidence or social skills may diminish, and â—Ź They may loose contact with their support groups. â—Ź Poor nutrition can lead to bad physical and psychological growth â—Ź They may have difficulties with relationships â—Ź Mental health issues may develop from isolation, including mood disorders like depression and emotional instability