June 2017
The Quarterly Newsletter of the HHQI Underserved Populations (UP) Network

 

  UP NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
  
Quarterly UP Network Webinar | July 20, 2017 | 2-3pm ET
Meals on Wheels: Delivering Health, Independence and Food
 
During this webinar presented by the Home Health Quality Improvement National Campaign (HHQI), we will explore emerging research on the homebound older adult population, healthcare usage trends, as well as ways in which Meals on Wheels America and member programs are working innovatively to support homebound older adults and address key social determinants of health. Register now.
  
This activity is pending approval of 1.5 hours of Nursing CEs (ANCC) through the Alabama State Nurses Association and Social Workers CEs through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Learn more.
  
Guest Speaker: 
Ucheoma Onyinyechi Akobundu, BS, MS, PhD
Director of Project Management and Impact
Meals on Wheels America
Now Available: April 2017 UP Network Webinar Recording

Check out the Patient Safety: All in a Day's Work!  UP webinar recording. This is a 2-hour virtual workshop that will help you begin creating your Patient Safety QAPI plan. 2.25 hours of free nursing continuing education credits are still available when you complete the corresponding course located in the Quality Improvement course catalog in HHQI University.

Save the Dates: 2017 UP Network Webinars

All webinars will be held from 2-3pm ET.  As soon as more details are available, they will be accessible via the UP page on the HHQI website and emailed directly to those who are subscribed to our  UPDate and Educational & Networking Opportunities mailing lists .

October 19, 2017:
Topic Alzheimer's Disease
January 18, 2018:
Topic TBD

 

  UP NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
  
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day occurs annually on June 15. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans who are 60 years or older have experienced some type of elder abuse. The annual abuse estimates range as high as 5 million older people ( ncoa.org).

Seniors with social or mental impairments (e.g., dementia, Alzheimer's) are at the highest risk for abuse. Some studies indicate almost 50% of all people with dementia have suffered some type of abuse. People with disabilities are also at a higher risk for abuse ( ncoa.org). 

National Council on Aging (NCOA) provides the following descriptions of the various types of elder abuse: 
  • Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.
  • Sexual abuse means touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.
  • Emotional abuse means verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.
  • Confinement means restraining or isolating an older adult, other than for medical reasons.
  • Passive neglect is a caregiver's failure to provide an older adult with life's necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. 
  • Willful deprivation means denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm-except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care. 
  • Financial exploitation means the misuse or withholding of an older adult's resources by another.
Learn more about the types of abuse from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).

 

The basic abuse warning signs include:

  • Physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment: Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, burns
  • Emotional abuse: Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, or unusual depression; strained or tense relationships; frequent arguments between the caregiver and older adult
  • Financial abuse: Sudden changes in financial situations
  • Neglect: Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, unusual weight loss
  • Verbal or emotional abuse: Belittling, threats, or other uses of power and control by individuals 
    (ncoa.org) 

Did You Know? 

  • Elders who are abused have a 300% higher risk of death than non-abused seniors
  • Elder abusers are both male and female and almost 60% are family members (primarily adult children or spouses)
  • Financial abuse and fraud cost older Americans $36.5 billion  annually
  • Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect are under reported vs. financial abuse
    (ncoa.org)

  

  FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES

  
National Organizations  
Resources

Below are some relevant resources that could be used for staff or patients/family education.
For more information or to suggest future UP topics or speakers,  please contact us at HHQI@qualityinsights.org. Visit our website t learn more about  HHQI .

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality 

Improvement Organization supporting the Home Health Quality Improvement National Campaign, 

under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. The views presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 

Publication number 11SOW-WV-HH-ADL-061217