Abuse of Older People

Our understanding of what is acceptable in terms of our treatment of vulnerable people changes over time. Legislative demands as well as professional standards now ensures that those providing care and support have a base line of acceptable practice so that some of the gross abuse that existed within the large institutions is less common in community settings today. Nevertheless, changing definitions of abuse now lead to us identifying more subtle and hidden abuse.
This one day course aims to help staff understand the history of abuse and how this might replay in practice today. It likewise aims to help staff when dealing with issues of abuse

The Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course learners should understand:

• A range of definitions:
        -Good Practice
        -Ethics and values
        -Abuse
        -Oppression
        -Marginalisation
        -Discrimination
        -Harassment etc.
• Sources and guidelines for good practice. References to include:
        -The Code of Practice for Social Carers
        -Common Induction Standards
        -RCN
        -SCA etc.
• What is meant by:
        -Physical abuse
        -Sexual abuse
        -Psychological abuse
        -Discriminatory Abuse
        -Financial abuse
        -Neglect & Acts of Omission
• How Older People were treated in institutions
• How abuse takes place in residential settings
• How families might abuse and why
• The dilemma in discovering abuse committed by peers
• The challenge confronting abuse committed by more senior staff
• What can we do?
• How others might abuse (e.g. Doctors, solicitors, drivers)
• What can we do?
• Statistics demonstrating the incidence of abuse
• Avoiding abuse (to include):
        -Creating respectful cultures in the workplace
        -Application of support plans
        -Monitoring of key work
        -Team meetings
        -Supervision
        -Advocacy
        -Standard setting
• Identifying the signs of abuse
• Responding to suspected abuse
• Responding to actual abuse
• The legal framework (with references to No Secrets)
• Organisational Policy and expectations

Training methods:

• Warm up exercises
• Tutor Presentations
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Pairs work
• Small groups
• Chalk & Talk
• Word shower method
• Video presentation
• Handouts