Community Support 1

Elder Abuse Policy Presentation

October 3, 2011

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Overview• Purpose for Policy Development

Process• Why do we need consistent

policies• Considerations for Policy

Development• Having a Specific Template

Structure• Identifying whom should be

involved

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Overview continued …• Other related policies within

Western Health• Barriers to Policy Development• Current Actions within Western

Region

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Purpose for Policy Development Process• Policy Framework provides

direction in addressing the needs of people whom Western Health are serving

• In relation to elder abuse, we are looking at multiple policies across the continuum of care

• There has to be a written policy and procedure guide on doing policy framework

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Why do we need consistent policies• To help employees understand what

is expected of them• To assist in orientation of new

employees• To ensure plans are in place in case

of an emergency• To ensure that

clients/patients/residents receive a consistent level of service to improve their overall health and well being

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Considerations in Policy Development• To write policy, we need to identify

the needs of the target population• Environmental scan• Regional Profiles • Regional Demographici.e. Western Health provides service to a

region with a rapidly aging population. Within that population, what are the issues: poverty, stress on families caring for aging parents

• Set Goals and Priorities• Assign Timelines• To Ensure Accountability

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The policy should have a specific template structure that would include:• Purpose – why the policy exists• Policy – Key statement on the

organizations position.• Definitions – needed for less commonly

understood, but key terms. If multiple definitions may want to create a glossary. i.e. Elder Abuse

• Procedure – What needs to be done to carry out the policy .Write out the steps in simple language, include what has to be done and in what order. Complex procedures may require headings and subheadings

• Guidelines – Clinical practice or best practice guidelines are included here.

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The policy should have a specific template structure that would include…• Legislative Context – Where you state

whether there are any provincial or federal legislations, directives or by-laws that have to be followed as they provide the broad framework for the policy

• References - List other references related to the policy, including other policies, literature references, research or other documents that may be useful for users of the policy

• Key Words – for intranet search. This makes it easier for employees to find the policy from which they are seeking direction.

• Forms – Include sample forms that would be used as part of the policy’s procedures

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Identification of People who would be involved in the development of Elder Abuse Policies• Internal Partners

• Social workers in acute care, long term care and community support

• Nurse managers and nurses working in these areas

• Emergency room staff• Physicians• Etc.

• External Partners• Police• Senior resource centres• Primary health care teams• Coalition to end violence groups• Community members

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After a draft policy is developed, a copy is forwarded to stakeholders for review and comments. This feedback will be taken into consideration to be incorporated into the final policy which will be brought through the approval process

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Other Western Health Policies that deal with Violence

• Duty to Report • Violence Prevention• Occurrence Reporting• Disclosure of Occurrences• Serious/Severe Occurrence

Reporting and Management• Harassment and Discrimination

Free Workplace

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Barriers in Policy Development• There is a need for clear and consistent

definitions that are within all policies. An example would be within the following three groups: suspected neglected adult (defined), abuse of an older adult (defined with age), and abuse of a vulnerable adult (defined)

• There should be discussion on whether there is a need for mandatory reporting for staff across the continuum of care

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Barriers in Policy Development…• Access to financial and human

resources required to put in service. i.e. home support hours, easy access to specialized services, communication language barriers, complexity of cases

• The identification of skill set and tools in:• Assessing capacity• Screening referrals• Assessing risks• Developing case plan

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Barriers in Policy Development…• Access to information and sharing of

information in/outside the organization• Current Neglected Adults Welfare Act

legislation has limitations. (i.e. looks at neglect but not abuse, difficult to effectively conduct investigation)

• Very positive that there is new legislation coming out next year. An Act Respecting the Protection of Adults

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Current Action Within Western Health• There is a designated resource to

research the practices in relation to assessing/investigating allegations against vulnerable adults

• We are reviewing current regional demographics and statistics to assist in policy development.

• We are reviewing past and current practices; and regional and provincial policies and standards.

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Current Action Within Western Health• Identifying gaps and risks in current

practice and policy within the Western Region

• Identifying in-service priorities for staff and managers

• Participating in regional and provincial committees to address issues in relation to violence against older persons

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WESTERN HEALTH• Policy development around

elder abuse is very important if we look at our own demographics, in trying to meet the needs of seniors we know that we have an ever increasing aging population and this will be a priority issue

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Thank You

Sean Hillier

Social Work ConsultantCommunity Support ProgramWestern Health149 Montana Drive, 2nd FloorStephenville, NL(709) 643 8717