SPECIAL ISSUES WITH

VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE

ELDERLY

Katherine Farrell
OVERVIEW
Part 1: Clinical Issues (cognitive decline, depression,
anxiety, substance use, etc.)
 Physical consequence of the clinical issue

 Emotional consequences of the clinical issue

 Cognitive consequence of the clinical issue

 Spiritual consequences of the clinical issue

Part 2: Abuse and Neglect

 Common forms of vulnerable adult and elderly neglect

 Warning signs of vulnerable adult and elderly abuse

 Legal and ethical considerations for reporting abuse and/or

neglect of vulnerable adults and the elderly
INTRODUCTION

 Clinical issue: substance use

 Coping skill

 Life changes

 Abuse and Neglect

 Various issues and effects

PART 1: CLINICAL ISSUE
PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE USE

Some of the many consequences are the following:

 Weight gain/loss

 Accelerated aging

 Chronic pain/illness

 Poor health status

 Reduced mobility

 Increased tolerance to medication

 Increased injuries
EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE USE

 Mood swings
 Psychiatric Illnesses

 Wanting to be isolated

 Emotionally numb

 Suicidal thoughts
COGNITIVE CONSEQUENCE OF
SUBSTANCE USE

 Memory loss
 Dementia

 Alzheimer's Disease

 Cognitive decline/impairment

 Inability to concentrate
 SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE USE

 Lack of interest in religion

 Unable to find purpose in life

 Inability to find peace

PART 2: ABUSE AND NEGLECT
COMMON FORMS OF VULNERABLE ADULT AND
ELDERLY NEGLECT

Examples:
 Inadequate amount of food

 Lack of shelter

 Poor hygiene

 Lack of medical attention

 Lack of interaction with others

WARNING SIGNS OF VULNERABLE ADULT AND
ELDERLY ABUSE

 Unexplained injuries
 Absence of necessities

 Regressive behaviors

 Depression

 Extreme withdrawal

 Nightmares

 Weight loss

 Sudden behavior changes

 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND/OR
NEGLECT OF VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY

 Understand the legal considerations

 Contact Adult Protective Services (APS)

 Contact law enforcement

 HIPAA
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND/OR
NEGLECT OF VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY.
 Understand what is ethical vs. unethical
 Report to the Office of Aging

 Consider the following:

 Autonomy
 Justice
 Beneficence
 Nonmaleficence
CONCLUSION
 Substance use can be detrimental to the elderly and
vulnerable populations
 Consequences: physical, emotional, spiritual, and
cognitive
 Numerous types of elderly/vulnerable adult neglect

 Abuse and neglect signs are noticeable

 Reporting abuse/neglect: ethical and legal reasons

REFERENCES
Donovan, K., & Regehr, C. (2010). Elder abuse: Clinical, ethical, and legal
considerations in social work practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 38(2), 174-182.

National Research Council. (2014). Elder abuse and its prevention: Workshop summary.
National Academies Press.

NIDA. (2020). Substance Use in Older Adults DrugFacts. Retrieved from

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/substance-use-in-older-adults-drugfacts

Psychology Today. (2019). Elder or dependent adult neglect. Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/elder-or-dependent- adult-neglect

Rogers, J., Wiese, B. S., & Rabheru, K. (2008). The older brain on drugs: Substances
that may cause cognitive impairment. Retrieved from
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579841#:~:text=Substances%20s uch%20as
%20opioids%2C%20benzodiazepines,common%20in%20patien ts%20over%2065.

Slate, M. (2019). Communication with Cognitively Impaired Clients. Retrieved from

https://www.rn.org/courses/coursematerial-182.pdf