USING BEST PRACTICES, EDUCATION, AND ENGAGEMENT TO PROMOTE RESIDENT SAFETY
course corrections with employees who en- gage in low level infractions in order to pre- vent bigger problems. Workers who overstep boundaries without consequence are more likely to eventually engage in elder abuse. “It’s a slippery slope,” said Olney, noting that other workers will notice when no con- sequences are given to coworkers who break the rules.
“One unfortunate incident in one community can impact the entire industry,” said Maria Nadelstumph, vice president of
organizational development and program excellence at Brandywine Living.
Address incidents quickly An important part of a resident safety pro- gram is how to handle actual allegations of abuse or serious incidents. Three steps should be taken to address the incident, according to Olney. The top priority is to immediately care
for the person who has been harmed. “Ev- erything else falls to the side,” he said. Secondly, an internal investigation should be initiated, and the person accused of the abuse should be removed from contact with the victim. In some cases, this will warrant the suspension of an employee while the investigation is ongoing. Lastly, authorities should be notifi ed de-
pending on the seriousness of the abuse. The issue of legal liability should be ex- plored with the company attorney. Also, if it is determined that abuse took place, the insurance company should be notifi ed in a timely fashion, said Olney. Insurance poli- cies often have what’s called a prompt no- tice clause that requires the insured party to alert the insurance company even if a claim has not been fi led yet. Another tip: discuss liability coverage with
the community’s insurance broker. Know what’s covered. “Identify where the real risk is,” said Olney. “Don’t get surprised.” At Brandywine Living, abuse claims are
12 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE JULY/AUGUST 2018
NEW TOOLKIT PROVIDES SIMPLE, STEP-BY-STEP ADVICE ON RESIDENT SAFETY
All seniors, regardless of where they live, have the right to live free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They have the right to live with dignity, respect, and freedom of choice.
With these principles in mind, Argentum recently launched the Senior Living IQ initiative to provide guidance on best practices to promote resident safety. An important part of the initiative is the “Senior Living IQ Toolkit: Resident Safety.”
The toolkit was developed based on the latest research and collaboration with experts and industry leaders who specialize in resident safety.
It features a step-by-step, comprehensive guide on how to recognize and prevent elder abuse. The diff erent types of abuse with examples are explained, along with the warning signs. Bounced checks, for example, may indicate a relative is stealing from the resident.
Experts agree that hiring the right people helps prevent elder abuse. The toolkit features a section on pre-employment screening, with eight easy-to- follow steps for managers to take during the hiring process.
Other sections of the toolkit cover employee training, immediate actions to implement when abuse is suspected, how to conduct investigations, and guidance on the most eff ective enforcement mechanisms, including suspensions and terminations.
The toolkit also addresses prevention and the conditions that can lead to abuse such as caregiver burnout, poor working conditions, the intensity of a senior’s illness, lack of training, and the resident’s tendency to be verbally or physically abusive.
To download the toolkit, visit
seniorlivingiq.org.
investigated through the corporate quality team, led by the chief nursing offi cer and chief corporate offi cer. The claims are also handled with the appropriate regulatory agency. Suspected cases of abuse or theft by the family are also brought to the ap- propriate oversight agency. Confl icts between residents can some-
times rise to the level of abuse, which must be addressed. But creative approaches and programs can help resolve minor disputes before they spin out of control. For example, perhaps a new resident doesn’t feel welcome because she is not
being invited to sit with a certain group at dinner. The resident council or community forum may be a good time to discuss why it’s important to include newcomers without pointing fi ngers. Activities can also be turned into educa-
tional opportunities, noted Nadelstumph. A psychologist can be brought in to talk about friendships or how to adjust to a new environment. “The good thing about senior living is that there are a lot of re- sources out there,” said Nadelstumph. “We can use those resources creatively to get a message across.
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