ANNUAL COMPULSORY EDUCATION RESIDENT ABUSE & PROTECTION OF PERSONS IN CARE ACT (PPCA)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES What is abuse & what form(s) it can come in Resident Rights Symptoms of Abuse Protection of Persons in Care Act (PPCA) & what it means for you

BSF PHILOSOPHY The Preservation of Dignity & the Pursuit of Happiness

WHAT IS ABUSE? An ACT or OMISSION that: -Causes serious bodily harm -Causes serious emotional harm -Subjects an individual to non-consensual sexual contact, activity or behaviour -Results in the administration, withholding or prescribing of medication for an inappropriate purpose, resulting in serious bodily harm

WHAT IS ABUSE? An ACT or OMISSION that: -involves improperly or illegally converts a large amount of money or other valuables -results in failing to provide adequate nutrition, medical attention or another necessity of life without a valid consent, resulting in serious bodily harm

RESIDENT RIGHTS The Resident has the right to: Be treated with respect, dignity, kindness, & consideration in all interactions with the residence Share problems & concerns with the Service Provider to solve such issues together Choose their own doctor, dentist, & other community health service providers Be able to attend religious services or activities of their choice or to refuse participation in religious services or activities

RESIDENT RIGHTS The Resident has the right to: Have sole use of their personal possessions unless the resident gives permission for others to use those possessions Maintain personal privacy including access to their room when they choose and to be asked for permission to enter by other persons who wish to enter the room To deicide who will come & visit them Come and go if it is safe to do so based on cognitive status & according to the care plan

WATCHING YOUR APPROACH Get to know Your Resident Smile, use a gentle & caring approach Being aware of caregiver/family/friend & resident interactions

ABUSE Physical Abuse: Causing body injuries by actions such as biting, kicking or hitting Emotional Abuse: May be verbal or non-verbal. Emotional harm such as making threats, blaming, causing embarrassment, stalking or isolating/ignoring a person in care. Neglect: Failing to provide life needs such as food & medical attention

ABUSE Sexual Abuse: Subjecting a person in care to unwanted sexual contact or activity Financial Abuse: Stealing money or valuables, or limiting access to finances Medication Abuse: Giving or prescribing medication for an improper use

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF ABUSE Physical Abuse: Injuries on sides of the body, bruises or marks, signs of being physically restrained Emotional Abuse : Being upset, withdrawn, little communication, rocking, self-soothing behaviours Neglect: Dehydration, malnutrition, extreme hunger, untreated health problems, unusual weight loss

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF ABUSE Sexual Abuse: Bruising around the breasts or genitals, unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding. Torn, stained or bloody underclothing Financial Abuse: Large cash withdrawals from bank account, objects or money missing from resident Medication Abuse: Drowsiness, drooling, increased confusion, untreated conditions, changes in vital signs

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF ABUSE Arguments or tension between a caregiver (or family/friends) & a resident Changes in personality & behavior in the resident i.e. self- soothing behaviours, becoming teary, irritable Resident or caregiver reports being abused

PROTECTION FOR PERSONS IN CARE ACT (PPCA) Applied to service providers that provide care or support services to clients over the age of 18. These providers receive fund from the Government of Alberta. Service Providers must take reasonable steps to keep clients safe from harm or abuse When Service Providers hear of a possible abusive or harmful situation, they must immediately ensure the client is safe Every successful applicant for employment must get a Criminal Record Check. This includes volunteers & any other person who may work at the facility Information about PPCA must be available to clients, volunteers, employees & any person who works at the facility

PPCA – WHAT IT MEANS FOR US? Under government law, we are all “ mandated reporters ”. If there is reasonable grounds for suspected neglect and/or abuse, we are all legally obligated to report this to PPCA as soon as possible. It is against the law not to report abuse. Nothing can be done to the person reporting the abuse. Any staff (from any department) who witnesses or hears of neglect and/or abuse must report to the nurse immediately to ensure that the resident is safe.

PPCA – HOW TO REPORT By Telephone: Call the PPCA reporting line at: Monday thru Friday 0815 – 1630H- By Fax: By Mail: Alberta Health, Attn: PPCA Station M, Box 476 Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1 For More Information:

WHEN A REPORT IS MADE PPCA will look into the case to decide whether the Act has legal right in the matter If legal right is determined, an investigator will be assigned to the report The investigator will give suggestions. These suggestions may include reviewing the facilities funding, suggesting an employee be punished or dismiss the complaint A copy of the decision will be given to the person who made the report, the facility involved and the accused person All decisions are final & binding If criminal activity is suspected or determined, the report must be given to the police

ELDER ABUSE

REFERENCES Brenda Strafford Foundation LTD. Policies