New advice launched to tackle dementia abuse
The guidance will help care workers identify abuse of dementia patients
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Monday, 16, Jun 2008 09:10
New advice has been launched to help care workers identify potential abuse of people with dementia.
The guidance, produced by the Alzheimer's Society and Action on Elder Abuse, is geared towards workers in the dementia care environment.
It explores why people with dementia can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and identifies types of abuse that might not be so recognisable, such as neglect, financial and psychological abuse.
As people with dementia are often not able to communicate that they are being abused the booklet provides advice on how to raise concerns and where to access support.
One method featured is Body Maps, where a person can make a note of physical signs of abuse on a map of the body and hand it over to social services in order to help them with an investigation.
"This booklet provides essential, practical advice for anyone working with people with dementia in the care environment," said Alzheimer's Society chief executive Neil Hunt.
"We want to ensure that carers can recognise the signs of abuse and take appropriate, immediate action to stop it."
Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, added: "Providing support for care workers often working in difficult circumstances is a vital part of tackling abuse and poor practise.
"We urge all of those who provide, purchase and commission care services to ensure widest possible distribution [of the guidance]."