Elder abuse is not a phenomenon that exist only between LTC staff and clients/residents, it occurs between clients, family members and clients etc.... Elder abuse comes in multiple forms as expressed in your textbook and the articles I've uploaded. It is a phenomenon that affects any quality improvement program, and is looked at heavily when implementing processes to mitigate or decrease risks for the facility. So read this case and determine if there is cause to evaluate if this could be viewed as abuse. Answer the questions and tie in how if not handled, monitored or evaluated properly how this case can get out of control very quickly.

Case #4:After 7 years of caring for his wife with severe Alzheimer's disease at home, Mrs. Dowd is admitted to a LTC home. Upon returning to visit his wife, Mr. Dowd finds her walking hand-in-hand with a male resident. Staff report Mrs. Dowd has been observed following this male resident into his room which is right next to her room. Mr. Dowd becomes angry and states, "Look, it is your job to protect my wife. Get that man out of here right now. I don't want her involved with any other man. That's why I admitted her here."

What are some of the ethical issues in this case? What should we do?

• Is Mrs. Dowd able to understand and appreciate her actions with the male resident?
• Do the staff have an obligation to intervene to protect Mrs. Dowd? Or at the request of Mr. Dowd?
• If Mrs. Dowd was capable (competent), would the responsibility of the LTC home staff remain the same?