Combating elder abuse: the role of guardians for older people in residential care
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200800011 |
| Pages | 33-38 |
| Published date | 01 May 2008 |
| Date | 01 May 2008 |
| Author | Brian Cox |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 10 Issue 2 • May 2008 © Pavilion Publishing (Journals) Limited 33
key words
elder abuse,guardians,older
people, residential care
abstract
The preparation of this paper
was prompted by publicity and
research evidence of neglect/abuse
of older persons in residential care.
It sets out to present a new way of
combating neglect/abuse of
individual residents, drawing also on
preliminary findings from a long-
term research project on
guardianship.This project,
provisionally entitled
Guardianship
Relations: Models for ground rules
,
looks at the situations of all
vulnerable persons irrespective of
settings whereas the following
notes concentrate on the need for
guardians for persons who reside in
homes for the elderly (residential
care homes/RCHs).
Confronting the problem
Clearly, recognition of the nature and extent of such
neglect/abuse is an essential first step but now needs to be
followed by clear proposals aimed at combating them. It is
argued here that it is unreasonable to expect present quality
control systems (CSCI, local adult protection arrangements) to
produce proposals that address neglect/abuse of individual
residents. Their remit is at service delivery level ie. towards
resident populations of RCHs to a generalised best interests
standard. This does not mean that ‘outside’ monitors are
disinterested in the situations of individual residents. What is
meant is that to effectively address particular instances of
abuse/neglect of particular residents requires application of an
individual best interests standard. Two questions need to be
addressed: Where does responsibility lie for ensuring that any
particular resident is cared for to the required standard? Who
really protects and represents the resident who can no longer
speak up for him/herself?
An example of limitations in the system is in the area of
staffing. The combined effect of understaffing, shift systems in
which proper ‘hand-overs’ are not assured, staff turnover
(especially of key workers), mean that it is difficult if not
impossible to provide consistency and continuity of care.
Without seeking regime change (some of which may not be
possible given existing funding levels), the missing link is
someone able to intervene as and when necessary to ensure
that a particular resident’s needs are not overlooked at critical
times or situations.
Another example of problems within the residential care
system relates to the role of residents’ relatives. Even with full
management support in maintaining family links and in
Combating elder abuse:
the role of guardians for older
people in residential care Brian E Cox
Independent Researcher,Previously Social
Services Inspector,Department of Health
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