Caring for the elderly L3 unit safeguarding of vulnerble adults free essay sample

Safeguarding of vulnerable adults (S0VA) There are many different types of abuse and they can effect people in different ways. There are many adults that are more vulnerable to abuse. Here are a few examples of this: * People who suffer from dementia as they are less likely to remember what has happened to them. * People who have a mental illness or suffer with learning disabilities as they may not understand what is happening to them. ( They may think it’s a normal thing to do), Therefore may not tell anyone it has happened but could also do the same to somebody else as they think it’s the right thing to do. People with a physical disability rely on people to help them with everything, they maybe unable to move which means any physical abuse they wouldn’t be able to move away from. Physical abuse Physical abuse is when someone inflicts pain or harm to a persons body. the elderly and disabled are more at risk of this as they may not understand what is happing or be able to defend themselves. physical abuse can be caused in many different ways such as: * Biting * Hitting * Punching * Restraint * Slapping * Pushing * Misuse of Medicines * Inappropriate sanctions These are the most common ways of physical abuse . the main signs of abuse are: * lacerations * dislocations * bruising * fractures * finger prints If you are caring for a service user and you notice marks, cuts or bruises in suspicious places you should ask the service user how these marks come about? If the service user is unsure take note of this, use a sheet of paper to draw a figure of a person and mark the areas of which you have founds any suspicious marks, Then report this to your manager all marks even minor ones should be reported at all times as even the smallest bruise may be apart of abuse or handled inappropriately . If you go to care for a service user and they are not consistent with how they suffered an injury this may be because they have been abused. For example: You are on a morning visit to ms Wilson whom you visit every morning. on this particular morning ms Wilson has a large bruise to the outer thigh. you ask ms Wilson how she got this bruise? she reply’s I fell out of bed you take note of this and report it to your manager with the explanation of how it happened.  the next morning you see ms Wilson and ask her how she got the bruise on her thigh she reply’s I lost balance and fell into the table this story is inconsistent therefore maybe a case of abuse. You should tell your manager, police or social services if you think this may be caused by abuse. Neglect Neglect is when your receiving insufficient care such as: * inadequate food and drinks * ignoring physical needs * ignoring toiletry needs * warmth * hygiene Neglect can happen in many different ways. The service u ser may be deprived of food and drink causing malnutrition and dehydrated this can make the service user very ill and disorientated. Neglect can be that the service user is kept in soiled clothes/bedding not washed regularly. any signs of this should be reported to the manager or social services. there are signs of neglect that should be looked out for such as the service user may show: * significant weight loss over a small period of time * malnutrition * dehydration *depression *hypothermia *pressure sores *inadequate clothing or bedding * no response to medication * lack of medical attention Neglect can also be unseen such as medication, medication may be tampered with, The service user may be given more or less of which has been prescribed.  causing drowsiness and discomfort. Sexual abuse Sexual abuse is one of the worst forms of abuse for anyone at any age. sexual abuse is where someone has preformed sexual acts or rape when consent has not been given. There are many things signs or symptoms connected to this kind of abuse, these are: * pain around the private areas * itching or infections (STIS) * marks ar ound the groin area and possibly around the throat * difficulty standing or walking * withdrawal * wanting to be alone * change in personality * torn or ripped clothing If you come across any of these signs or symptoms you must report to your manager, police or social services. emotional abuse Emotional abuse can be done in many different ways the main ways are when someone: * rejects or refuses to acknowledge a persons presence, value or worth. * deliberately humiliating or hurting there feelings * making them feel worthless This can make them withdrawn or suffer with depression, anxiety and no self confidence. If any of these occur then report to your manager or gp. intuitional abuse This is an inward abuse such as depression or can have the effects of a breakdown. The service user feels they are useless, cant do anything right. They may feel like they are a burden so refuse intervention. This makes them feel depressed, withdrawn and un-wanting to communicate with anyone. they can become insecure or nervous they also may seem troubled. Confidentiality may be broken in any of these cases. If you feel persons are at risk you must report to your line manager, even if there is no substantial evidence but enough for you to feel they may be abuse happening as abuse can be hidden and may not have any obvious signs. 2) should confidentiality be broken in any of these cases? Linda has been shoplifting but does not want to tell anyone in this case confidentiality does not need to be broken as Linda is not at harm or risk of herself or others. b) martin has bruising on his forehead, he can explain what has happened and his story is consistent with his family’s versions of events confidentiality does not need to be broken at the moment as his bruising is in a place where he could easily hurt himself by falling but i would observe to make sure bruises didn’t appear also mentioning this to line manager so they are aware of his injury. Donna complains that one of the male carers keeps coming into her room at night confidentiality can be broken in this case as there is risk for donnas safety. d) Stephen says he does not have the money to buy cigarettes anymore, he thinks someone is taking his money confidentiality does not need to be broken in this case at the moment as Stephen is not at risk but the situation does need to be investigated. e) on a home visit Megan has round burns that could be cigarette burns, you notice she seems scared of some of her relatives confidentiality can be broken as Megan has noticeable injuries and is distressed. We had a lady resident move into our home who has had a leg amputated due to diabetes. we set up a room downstairs for her so she can join in with activities and make it wheelchair friendly for her to maintain as much of her independence as possible. she was also a smoker, it is illegal to smoke inside so a carer smoker or non-smoker would take her outside for her cigarette. being a diabetic she was on a restricted diet which was maintained and when others were offered cakes or sweets ect it was made sure that there was sugar-free options available to her.just because she is unable to walk does not mean she should be excluded from joining in with activities and just because she is diabetic does not mean she cant have sweets or cakes. 4) All legislation is there to protect all kinds of people from all background all of the time. for instance the disability discrimination act 2005 was brought into place so that any person with any form of disability was given the same rights as any ful ly healthy person.  offices ect had to make there buildings wheelchair friendly and suitable for a disabled persons needs as with W. C needs. thesexual discrimination act 1975 was brought in so that women and men were both treated equally and both had the rights to do the same job opportunities as each other in all job aspects, this meaning a women has the same rights as a man whether it was mechanics, butchers, plumbers ect which always used to be a mans job and men can be midwifery’s and nurses ect.