Abuse

[cheesecadet]

I can't find an abuse section on here and was wondering what the process will be after reporting horrendous verbal abuse to my boss.

I'm a carer in the community. This morning I visited an elderly client who lives with her daughter. Her daughter shouted abuse at her mother for five minutes and was effing and jeffing, it was horrendous.

I glared at her as if to say be quiet but she carried on. She also mimicked her.

I was so upset, I rang my supervisor immediately after the call and we had a chat. It has been logged and I'll go in tomorrow and get it down in writing.

I'm so tempted to ring the police. What will happen after my boss is informed? It's a long time to wait until tomorrow.

Thanks.

[MagicMoonstone]

Is the patient able to tell anyone what's going on? Is she confused?

[TheWeeBabySeamus1]

That's awful , can you report to adult social services?

[cheesecadet]

She has dementia. I asked her quietly if she shouted at her a lot and she said yes. She understands what I say to her.

[cheesecadet]

thewee I'm assuming my work will but I'm not sure. I'm going to ask tomorrow. If nothing gets done then I will. Although I'm not sure how I'm going to find out without mithering.

[pocketsaviour]

Your manager has a duty to report this to social services under Safeguarding guidelines. So check with him/her tomorrow that this has been done. Also make sure the report mentions that you asked the patient if this happens a lot and she said yes it does.

Social services will take it from there.

[pocketsaviour]

You have had safeguarding training yourself, right?

[cheesecadet]

Thanks pocketsaviour

Yes I have, not for a long time, couldn't remember the procedures. All I know is that I HAD to report, I couldn't not. I was mortified.

[pocketsaviour]

It's a horrible thing to witness. People with dementia are very vulnerable since family members can just go along with "Oh you know how it is, she gets ever so confused." In a way it's a good thing that you were there to witness this because now it will get flagged to SS.

[MilkOfAmnesia]

Years ago I used to be a home carer whilst at Uni and I saw this sort of scenario a lot unfortunately.
You must inform your line manager who will lease with the relevant adult safeguarding team.
Write down everything you saw/heard, because you will probably be questioned on it later. DO NOT LET ABUSER SEE ANYTHING YOU HAVE WRITTEN!!! definitely don't put anything about it in the daily care plan.
Do not talk to the abuser or the service user about any of this.
get some proper safeguarding training. I'm sure its a legal requirement anyway

[MilkOfAmnesia]

that should 'liase' not lease! stupid autocorrect.

[MagicMoonstone]

Do they have neighbours?

If it's playing on your mind you could make an anonymous tip off to police saying you've heard it from outside the house and you know there is an elderly lady lives there with daughter?

[cheesecadet]

Nothing was written in the care plan regarding this.

Yes they have neighbours. If I rang the police I'd just be honest.

[grannytomine]

I would ring your local council's contact number and ask to speak to adult safeguarding. They will then make sure it has been reported and is being investigated.

It is really abusive and the woman needs to be protected, if the daughter is like this in front of carer's then heaven knows what she is like in private.

[cheesecadet]

Thanks granny

Yes exactly my thoughts. Doesn't bear thinking about.