446). If a nurse is mandated to report suspected abuse, then she may believe that the patient’s ability to make independent decisions is not being respected or acknowledged. Many older adults are afraid to report abuse and refuse interventions and services because of “fear of reprisals by the abusing relative, fear of criminal action against the relative, or guilt for causing family tensions” (Gilbert, 1986, p. 55). It becomes difficult for health care professionals to remove individuals from harm by reporting the incident while still respecting the autonomy of the patient. One way health professionals can respect one’s autonomy is “to assess the capacity of older adults for self-determination in addition to assessing the likelihood that they have been abused” (Gilbert, 1986, p. 60). If an adult has the ability to make his or her own decisions, then he or she is the one, not the nurse, who should decide if they are being abused and if they want to report it. Nurses can use persuasion as a way to influence a
446). If a nurse is mandated to report suspected abuse, then she may believe that the patient’s ability to make independent decisions is not being respected or acknowledged. Many older adults are afraid to report abuse and refuse interventions and services because of “fear of reprisals by the abusing relative, fear of criminal action against the relative, or guilt for causing family tensions” (Gilbert, 1986, p. 55). It becomes difficult for health care professionals to remove individuals from harm by reporting the incident while still respecting the autonomy of the patient. One way health professionals can respect one’s autonomy is “to assess the capacity of older adults for self-determination in addition to assessing the likelihood that they have been abused” (Gilbert, 1986, p. 60). If an adult has the ability to make his or her own decisions, then he or she is the one, not the nurse, who should decide if they are being abused and if they want to report it. Nurses can use persuasion as a way to influence a