Deck 6: Should Older People Be Protected From Bad Choices

Question 1

Research has failed to find a clear relationship between age and fear of crime.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

According to a recent comprehensive review of research on elder abuse, approximately what percentage of older adults is thought to have experienced elder abuse?

A) 3%
B) 10%
C) 25%
D) 50%

Answer 2

B

Question 3

How is a case of potential elder abuse different from a case of potential child abuse?

A) The aged are more vulnerable physically, socially, and emotionally
B) Children are more likely than elders to be victims of financial exploitation
C) People of all ages have a right to live in ways that others may judge risky
D) An adult, unlike a child, is always presumed mentally competent until proven otherwise
E) None of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Complete cessation of sexual activity is most often a result of which of the following?

A) Marital status
B) Feelings of an older person about sexuality
C) A decline in physical health among one or both partners
D) All of the above
E) A and B above

Question 5

Sexuality is a normal part of the human life course, including in later life.

Question 6

Which of the following is the best predictor of sexuality in old age?

A) Marital status
B) Earlier sexual behavior
C) Feelings of an older person about sexuality
D) Physical health
E) None of the above

Question 7

According to Heisler and Quinn, which of the following ethical issues are most likely to arise in legal proceedings regarding elder mistreatment?

A) Promotion of autonomy
B) Least restrictive alternative
C) Guardianship concerns
D) All of the above
E) A and B above

Question 8

According to Fabian and Rathbone-McCuan, which of the following terms has been used to describe older patients who appear filthy and unkempt, whose homes are dirty and untidy, but who show no shame for their situation?

A) Self-Neglect Syndrome
B) Senile Breakdown Syndrome
C) Dilemma of Neglect Syndrome
D) Diogenes Syndrome
E) None of the above

Question 9

Elder abuse and self-neglect are the same phenomenon and can be addressed in the same way.

Question 10

According to Wetle and Fulmer, which of the following protective functions may result when health professionals assist caregivers in recognizing the limits of their own health, identifying supportive services, and sharing care-giving responsibilities among available family members?

A) It may prevent elder abuse or neglect that might have been triggered by caregiver burden
B) It may protect the caregiver from mistreatment or abuse
C) It may assist professionals in balancing autonomy and beneficence
D) All of the above
E) A and B above

Question 11

Older people are more likely to be victims of financial exploitation than physical abuse.

Question 12

When a person can no longer manage to prevent harm to himself or herself or others, legal intervention (i.e., "protective proceedings") may be sought and may include which of the following processes?

A) Guardianship
B) Conservatorship
C) Civil commitment
D) All of the above
E) A and B above

Question 13

Advancing age is the major predictor of sexual activity in old age.

Question 14

Data from National Crime Victimization Surveys show that people over age 65 are more likely than other age groups to be victims of serious crimes, such as robbery, personal theft, assault, and rape.

Question 15

All states require mandatory reporting whenever there is evidence of elder abuse.

Question 16

There are generally no limits to the individual's right to exercise self-determination.

Question 17

Which of the following the "least restrictive alternative" refers to?

A) The promotion of self-governance, that is, being one's own person, without constraint by others or by psychological or physical limitations
B) What an older adult actually does to take care of daily living needs; includes consideration of past decision-making
C) Practitioners are ethically bound to craft individualized solutions that are least intrusive upon their client's freedom.
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 18

Which of the following are risk factors for elder abuse?

A) Psychopathology, especially alcohol and substance abuse
B) Family history of violence
C) Social isolation
D) Care giving burdens
E) All of the above

Question 19

According to Brown, guardians and conservators often do not know or fail to heed the wishes and concerns of their wards.

Question 20

Which of the following powers does Parens patriae refer to?

A) The state has the authority to prohibit individuals from injuring others or harming their property
B) The state has the authority to protect those who cannot protect themselves
C) That state has the authority to provide procedural safeguards to avoid wrongful imprisonment
D) All of the above
E) A and B above

Question 21

Self-neglect is often attributed to older adults.

Question 22

Some cases of elder mistreatment occur when the burden of care giving becomes too great.

Question 23

Describe the kinds of ethical dilemmas health professionals face in suspected cases of elder mistreatment.

Question 24

According to Heisler and Quinn, practitioners should not protect a client's autonomy to the extent that they fail to take action to protect an elder.

Question 25

Why is it difficult to define "quality of life" and measure well-being in old age? How is this difficulty problematic for gerontology? How does this difficulty render decisions about whether to intervene in suspected cases of abuse or neglect problematic?

Question 26

Evaluating the competency of clients necessitates working with the characteristics of the individual older adult.

Question 27

What special considerations must be made in legal proceedings dealing with elder abuse? Which ethical issues are most likely to arise in these cases, and why?

Question 28

According to Wetle and Fulmer, when health professionals treat families, they always know who the primary patient is and how to balance their professional obligations among various members of the family.

Question 29

What dilemmas do professionals face when they come across cases of suspected abuse or neglect of elders?

Question 30

Describe the ambiguities and contradictions that surround the problem of self-neglect among some older persons.

Question 31

There is a clear-cut psychopathology that explains the tendency in some individuals to neglect themselves.

Question 32

There is widespread agreement among professionals as to the definitive definition of elder abuse.

Question 33

Compare and contrast the exercise of police power and parens patriae power. What procedural protections are provided to safeguard individuals' rights?

Question 34

Is there a difference between neglecting one's self, and being neglected or abused by another?

Question 35

Wetle and Fulmer suggest that a competent patient may refuse interventions even if a health professional confirms that the patient is being mistreated.

Question 36

Fabian and Rathbone-McCuan suggest that the fact that there are stereotypic or "typical" cases of self-neglect assists professionals in arriving at simplistic solutions to a variety of situations.

Question 37

Describe what is meant by "guardianship." How can guardianship be helpful or harmful to vulnerable adults?