What are examples of safeguarding adults?

According to the National Council on Aging, over one in ten Americans aged 60 and over have experienced some form of elder abuse. Understanding what are examples of safeguarding adults is crucial for protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.

Quick Summary

Examples of safeguarding adults include recognizing and reporting all forms of abuse, such as physical, emotional, and financial, and identifying neglect and self-neglect. It also involves implementing preventative measures and multi-agency support to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure their well-being.

Key Points

• Physical Abuse: Involves causing physical pain or injury, with signs including unexplained bruises, cuts, or fractures [2, 4].

• Financial Exploitation: The illegal or improper use of an adult's money or assets, often seen through unexplained withdrawals, forged signatures, or changes to wills [2, 3, 4].

• Neglect: The failure to provide basic necessities like food, water, or medical care, leading to poor hygiene, malnutrition, or untreated health issues [4].

• Emotional Abuse: The infliction of mental anguish through verbal threats, intimidation, isolation, or humiliating behavior [4].

• Organizational Abuse: Systemic failures within a care setting that lead to widespread neglect, poor practice, and a lack of dignity or respect [4].

• Self-Neglect: An adult's own failure to care for their health, hygiene, or surroundings due to an inability to do so, posing a risk to their well-being [4].

• Reporting Concerns: It is crucial to report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement to ensure investigation and intervention [2, 4].

The Importance of Recognizing and Responding to Abuse

Safeguarding adults at risk is a collective responsibility. Vulnerable adults, those aged 18 or over with care needs who are unable to protect themselves, are susceptible to various forms of abuse [4]. Recognizing examples of safeguarding adults is vital for effective intervention and creating a safer environment.

Examples of Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves inflicting physical pain or injury. Look for unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, fractures, or burns [2, 4]. Other signs include inappropriate restraint, misuse of medication, or visible marks from rough handling [4]. Fear displayed by the adult in the presence of a caregiver can also be an indicator [4].

Examples of Financial Abuse and Exploitation

Financial abuse is a common and damaging form of elder abuse, involving the improper use of an adult's money or assets [2, 3]. Examples include theft of money or valuables, being coerced into scams, misuse of Power of Attorney, suspicious bank account activity, or unexplained changes to legal documents like wills [2, 3, 4].

Examples of Neglect and Self-Neglect

Neglect is the failure to meet a person's basic needs, which can be intentional or unintentional [4]. Examples include caregivers withholding food, water, medication, or failing to assist with hygiene [4]. Inadequate living conditions and failure to seek medical attention are also forms of neglect [4]. Self-neglect occurs when an adult fails to care for their own hygiene, health, or surroundings due to physical or mental impairments [4].

Examples of Psychological and Emotional Abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse causes mental pain and distress [4]. Examples include intimidation, threats of harm or abandonment, verbal abuse, isolation from social contacts, controlling behavior, and public humiliation [4].

Examples of Organizational Abuse

Organizational abuse happens within care settings where an individual's needs are neglected for institutional convenience [4]. This can stem from poor practices like rigid routines, understaffing, lack of training, an authoritarian culture, or a lack of respect for choice and privacy [4].

Safeguarding in Practice: What to Look For and How to Act

Implementing safeguarding requires vigilance and a proactive approach. It's important to distinguish signs of abuse from normal aging [2].

Comparing Signs of Abuse vs. Normal Aging

Indicator	Possible Sign of Abuse/Neglect [2, 4]	Possible Sign of Normal Aging/Health Condition
Physical Marks	Unexplained bruises, welts, burns, or broken bones in multiple areas or varying stages of healing.	Accidental falls with explainable bruises. Easily bruised skin due to thinning or medication.
Financial Issues	Sudden, large withdrawals; forged signatures; changes in a will; unpaid bills despite available funds.	Difficulty managing complex finances due to memory loss. Forgetting to pay bills.
Behavioral Changes	Sudden withdrawal, extreme fear, anxiety, or reluctance to speak freely, especially near a caregiver.	Forgetfulness, confusion, or mood changes related to dementia or cognitive decline.
Personal Hygiene	Consistent poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or untreated bedsores.	Occasional neglect of grooming due to fatigue or limited mobility.
Social Isolation	Being prevented from seeing friends or family by a caregiver.	Naturally reducing social activities due to mobility issues or personal choice.

The 5 R's: A Guide to Action

When abuse is suspected, follow the '5 R's': [4]

1. Recognise: Learn the signs of different types of abuse. [4]
2. Respond: Take immediate steps to ensure the individual's safety. [4]
3. Report: Contact local authorities, such as Adult Protective Services [2, 4]. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) offers reporting guidance [1].
4. Record: Document observations factually. [4]
5. Refer: Ensure the case is directed to the appropriate agencies for support. [4]

Conclusion

Understanding examples of safeguarding adults is essential for protecting vulnerable individuals. Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect, knowing how to respond, and reporting concerns are critical actions. A collective commitment is needed to ensure every adult lives safely, free from harm [4].

Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes physical abuse in safeguarding adults?

Physical abuse includes any intentional use of physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Examples include hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraining someone inappropriately, or the misuse of medication [4].

How can I identify financial abuse or exploitation?

You can identify financial exploitation by looking for signs such as unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, sudden disappearance of valuables, suspicious changes to wills or property deeds, unpaid bills despite adequate funds, or new credit accounts opened without consent [2, 3, 4].

What is the difference between neglect and self-neglect?

Neglect is the failure of a caregiver to provide for an adult's basic needs. Self-neglect is an individual's own failure to care for their personal hygiene, health, or living environment due to physical or mental impairments, with no other caregiver involved [4].

Who should I report suspected adult safeguarding issues to?

If you suspect abuse, you should report it to your local Adult Protective Services (APS) [2, 4]. In cases of immediate danger or suspected criminal activity, you should also contact the police.

Are all types of abuse included in adult safeguarding?

Yes, adult safeguarding addresses a wide range of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, financial, discriminatory, and organizational abuse, as well as neglect and modern slavery [4].

What are the main signs of emotional abuse in a vulnerable adult?

Signs of emotional abuse can include sudden withdrawal or unresponsiveness, anxiety, fearfulness, low self-esteem, depression, and unusual behaviors. It can also be indicated by a caregiver's controlling or intimidating behavior [4].

What is organizational abuse and where does it occur?

Organizational abuse is the mistreatment of individuals within an institutional or care setting. It is often a result of systemic failures, poor training, understaffing, or rigid routines that prioritize the organization over the individual's needs [4].

What if the vulnerable adult is not able to communicate their abuse?

If a vulnerable adult cannot communicate, be vigilant for non-verbal cues like unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, malnutrition, dehydration, or unsanitary living conditions. Your observations are key [2, 4].