ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATEMENT

Greater Home Health Services resolves that all services provided will be free of physical, verbal, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect. Clients serviced by Greater Home Health Services will be treated with respect and dignity and any form of Abuse or Neglect is strictly prohibited.

DEFINITIONS

Physical Abuse: The repetitive and deliberate infliction of injury on another person. The injuries may be physical, mental or emotional; this includes, but is not limited to shoving, striking or kicking a client being serviced, unauthorized restrictions of freedom of movement (i.e., restraint, seclusion). This criminal act and is punishable by a court of law

Verbal Abuse: Includes, but is not limited to teasing, ridiculing, and scolding, speaking harshly or rudely, laughing at or using profane or abusive language toward the client serviced

Sexual Abuse: Forcing another person to engage in sexual acts against his or her will, making inappropriate, sexually aggressive comments or threats or a by direct caregiver rubbing against a patient/client inappropriately while providing personal care. This criminal act and is punishable by a court of law

Psychological Abuse: The use of non-verbal expressions or actions in such a manner that subjects a client to ridicule, humiliation, scorn or contempt. This include Involuntary Seclusion confining or separating an individual in a certain area away from others, done without consent or against one’s will

Neglect or Mistreatment: Includes, but is not limited to the failure to provide the client with food, clothing, and medical care, assistance with personal hygiene, supervision and clean and safe environment

Financial Abuse: Stealing, taking advantage of or improperly using the money, property or other assets of another

Exploitation: The unfair use of an individual to one’s own advantage

COMMENTS

All staff shares in the responsibility in assuring that all clients shall receive services which are free from Abuse or Neglect
All clients serviced will be treated with respect and should not be demeaned, belittled or degraded
Greater Home Health Services will not hire individuals with a conviction or prior history of child, elderly, or any abuse, neglect or mistreatment. Reference of past employment will be checked as per Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations
Greater Home Health Services will actively and aggressively investigate all allegations of Abuse and or Neglect. At the time of the initial report, formal investigative procedures will be followed
Immediately upon observation or discovery of any Abuse or Neglect, a report to the Agency Administrator or immediate supervisor must be made. Failure to report Abuse or Neglect will result in disciplinary action up to, and including, termination
Guardian(s), advocates and or advocates care coordinators, case managers, and appropriate State Agencies must be notified as per Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations
A preliminary decision regarding the allegation shall be made within five (5) calendar days of the allegations unless doing so would violate protective service procedures. A final written report must be completed within seven (7) days from the incident
All employees and contractors will receive instruction/training in preventing and reporting abuse, mistreatment or neglect of persons on at least an annual basis as well as instructions in the appropriate approaches to managing persons with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Any person who is subjected to retaliatory action upon making a report of individual abuse, neglect or exploitation, or whose report is ignored without cause, shall immediately contact the Agency Director or RN Supervisor. Any employee or contractor found guilty of retaliatory action may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination

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have read and understand the policy on Abuse and Neglect. I agree to abide by this policy. I understand that not abiding by this policy could result in a disciplinary action including possible termination of contractual employment

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