Essay on Abuse and Vulnerable Adults

Submitted By pimmy1990
Words: 1001
Pages: 5

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults From Abuse

Kimberley Hollings
Avondale Care Home

Contents
What is a vulnerable adult?
What sorts of abuse might there be and what are the indicators?
What actions do you take if you suspect an individual is being abused?
What actions do you take if an individual tells you there being abused?
How to ensure that any evidence of abuse is keep safe.
National policy requirements for safeguarding individuals.
Different professionals and their roles.
Local and organisational systems for safeguarding.

What Is A Vulnerable Adult?
A vulnerable adult is anyone over the age of eighteen who is, or may be in need of community services, by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is unable to take care of him or herself or protect him or herself against harm or exploitation.
This includes: * People with a mental health problem or mental illness, including dementia * People with a physical disability * People with a learning disability * People with a substance misuse or an alcohol problem * People who are frail and/or experiencing a temporary illness * People with a sensory impairment

What Sort Of Abuse Might There Be And What Are The Indicators?
Physical Abuse: including hitting, slapping, force feeding, burning, scalding, misuse of medication or restraint. Be aware of unexplained burns, cuts, marks or bruises, unexplained injuries or flinching when approached. Sexual Abuse: For example rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting. Unexplained injury to genitals. Genital soreness or infection, not wanting to be touched, overtly sexualised behaviour or language.
Financial abuse: Misappropriating money, valuables or property, forcing changes to a will and testament, preventing access to money, property, possessions, inheritance or theft. Some indicators could be, unexplained lack of money, objects missing, being overly protective of possessions and money.
Emotional/ Psychological abuse: For example treating a person in a way which is different because of their age and/or cultural background; bullying, blaming, verbal abuse, insulting, harassing, deprivation of contact or privacy and denial of basic human rights such as a choice, privacy and dignity. Some of the signs to be aware of are being withdrawn, overly anxious to please, compulsive behaviour, lack of concentration or difficulty focussing, loss of skills or abilities.
Institutional abuse: Mistreatment or abuse of a vulnerable adult by a regime or individuals within an institution. This can be through isolated or repeated acts of poor or inadequate care. Institutions may include registered residential and nursing homes as well as settings such as day centres, hospitals, sheltered accommodation or supported living. Indicators may include things such as loss of weight, unexplained injury, unexplained change in personality and frequent admissions to hospital, no care or support plan in place.
Self-Neglect Or Neglect By Others: Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate medical care, and withholding the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition, adequate hygiene, clothing, funds and heating.

What should you do if you suspect someone is being abused? * Priority 1: Protect – The first and most important concern is to ensure that the abused person is safe and protected from any further possibility of abuse. * Priority 2: Report – You must report any abusive situation you become aware of to your line manager, or the names person in your workplace procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults. It is essential you make a full written report as soon as you can after the event.

* Priority 3: Preserve – Preserve any evidence. * Priority 4: Record and refer – Any information you have,