ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATEMENT
RightCare Home Health Services resolves that all services provided will be free of physical, verbal, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect. Clients serviced by RightCare 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
- RightCare 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
- RightCare 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
