Resident abuse & Protection of Persons in care act (PPCA)

1. Resident abuse & Protection of Persons in care act (PPCA) Annual Compulsory Education

2. 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

3. BSF Philosophy The Preservation of Dignity & the Pursuit of Happiness

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Watching Your Approach • Get to know Your Resident • Smile, use a gentle & caring approach • Being aware of caregiver/family/friend &resident interactions

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. PPCA – How to Report By Telephone: Call the PPCA reporting line at: 1-888-357-9339 -Monday thru Friday 0815 – 1630H- By Fax: 780-415-8611 By Mail: Alberta Health, Attn: PPCA Station M, Box 476 Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1 For More Information: www.seniors.gov.ab.ca

17. 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

18. Elder abuse

19. References Brenda Strafford Foundation LTD. Policies