Numerous elders are victims of abuse and neglect. Although in a better position than most health care staff to observe and report abuse and neglect in the home, many in the home health care services are not adequately equipped to identify the signs of abuse, much less know how to effectively navigate the vast web of available resources. Many staff are unclear regarding how to report and to whom, and often there is fear of the ramifications of reporting. In addition, in many instances the elder does not wish to seek interventions. The Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System's Elder Abuse “train the trainer” model focuses on providing in-service training for clinical and nonclinical members of the organization, with the hopes that personnel will improve their ability to take appropriate action when identifying elder abuse and neglect. In addition, the program prepares home care personnel to act as mentors to paraprofessional home health aides.
Brownell, P., Welty, A., & Brennan, M. (n.d.). Elder abuse and neglect. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from http://aging.state.ny.us/explore/project2015/artabuse.htm
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National Center on Elder Abuse. (1998, September). The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study: Final report . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and Administration on Aging.
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National Research Council, Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect. (2003). Elder mistreatment: Abuse, neglect, and exploitation in an aging America. Washington, DC: Author.
5.
Nirenberg, L. (2002). Developing training programs on elder abuse and prevention for in-home helpers: Issues and guidelines. Washington, DC: National Center on Elder Abuse.
