Elder abuse course outlined
By RACHELLE GINES Associated Press Writer
03/18/2009
CARSON CITY, Nev.—Lawmakers were told Wednesday that many doctors, counselors and other professionals who deal with seniors don't always recognize signs of abuse and need to get online training that would help them spot such mistreatment.
AB260 would create an online course on recognizing different kinds of elder abuse and require professionals who deal with seniors to complete the course once a year. The course would highlight problems such as medication mismanagement to keep seniors sedated and identifying bruises resulting from physical abuse rather than accidental falls.
"I think everybody thinks they know what it is when they see it, but I am amazed at some of the different ways that elder abuse occurs," Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, said in outlining her AB260 during an Assembly Government Affairs Committee hearing.
The bill would require at least 30 different types of professionals in fields such as dentistry, optometry, podiatry and chiropractic to take the course, along with other types of workers more traditionally associated with senior care such as medical and nursing home staffers, social workers and group caregivers. Also included are marriage and family therapists, athletic trainers, coroners and ambulance drivers.
Abridged
SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA
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