Prevention of elder mistreatment in nursing homes: competencies for direct-care staff.
Existing training on elder mistreatment in nursing homes focuses on detection and reporting of abuse, with little training specifically targeted toward prevention of mistreatment before it occurs. We used qualitative interviews with nursing home staff, policy makers, and related professionals to identify training needs. Based on participant accounts, we drafted a number of competencies essential for caregiver training to prevent mistreatment in nursing homes. Competencies include those dealing with definitions and policies, risks for mistreatment, communication and respect in relationships with residents, and development of a cooperative work environment. Competencies are discussed along with illustrative examples, and implications for practice and policy are addressed.
DeHart
Dana
D
The Center for Child & Family Studies, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA. dana.dehart@sc.edu
Webb
Jennifer
J
Cornman
Carol
C
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations