Abuse Policy

ABUSE POLICY
Consumers shall be treated with dignity and respect. Employees shall not physically, verbally, sexually, or psychologically abuse a consumer.

DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE:

  1. Abuse is the intentional and unnecessary infliction of pain, injury, or mental anguish to a consumer. It is an act or omission that willfully deprives a participant of rights or human dignity, or which may cause or causes actual physical injury or emotional harm to a participant including critical incident and one or more of the following:
    a. Sexual harassment of a participant
    b. Sexual contact between a staff member and a participant
    c. Restraining a participant
    d. Financial exploitation of a participant
    e. Humiliating a participant
    f. Withholding regularly scheduled meals from a participant
  2. Neglect is the intentional failure or omission to carry out prescribed medical treatment or personal care tasks for a consumer; or the intentional failure or omission to report the consumer’s physical and emotional problems to an immediate supervisor.
  3. Exploitation/Mistreatment is defined as the intentional use of inappropriate medications, isolation, or physical or chemical restraints on a consumer. This also includes taking advantage of the personal, financial, physical and /or emotional disabilities of a consumer for the personal gain of the employee.
  4. Sexual abuse or assault is defined as any sexual contact to which one party does not consent. Sexual contact between a consumer and an employee is strictly prohibited.
  5. Psychological abuse is any intentional act that causes psychological pain to a consumer. Employees are responsible for reporting all suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of any individual to the Senior Assist Services supervisor. All alleged incidences shall be documented and investigated immediately, and appropriate action will be taken.
    Senior Assist Services will terminate any person who, under these guidelines, has abused a consumer. Failure to report abuse, neglect or exploitation will result in negative sanctions, such as reporting to local police.