2025 In Service CH4

CHAPTER 4 OUR RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITY ELDER ABUSE SILVER ALERT NEXT STEPS

ELDER ABUSE OUR

SHARED

RESPONSIBILITY

OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY • Our work with older adults is a responsibility

governed by our organizational focus of exceptional care, as well as by Federal and State regulations

• Anyone who works within a care environment (like

ours) has a responsibility to report suspected abuse

• No matter your role, no matter the situation if you see

abuse or neglect, or have a concern about abuse and neglect, it must be immediately reported

• If you see it:

→ Stop It → Report It

Physical Mental Sexual Neglect

ABUSE C A N TA K E MANY FORMS

Corporal Punishment Involuntary Seclusion Misappropriation of Property

W H AT D O I D O I F I SUSPECT ABUSE? • Federal law requires that you report to BOTH law

enforcement AND the state survey agency

• You must also contact the Deerfield administrator and the

Deerfield Director of Nursing

• If you believe the crime involves serious bodily

injury, including criminal sexual abuse, you MUST report immediately but no more than 2 hours after forming the suspicion

• If the crime does NOT appear to cause serious bodily

injury, you still must report within 24 hours

• No exceptions

WHO MUST REPORT?

→ Owners → Operators → Employees → Managers → Agents → Contractors

Organizations cannot punish or retaliate against you for lawfully reporting a crime under this law; your right to report is protected

W H AT H A P P E N S IF YOU DON’T REPORT? Individuals who fail to report are subject to fines up to $300,000 and possible exclusion from ever participating in a Federal healthcare program

HOW DO I REPORT? Contact the following agencies regarding the suspicion of a crime at Deerfield: → Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110 → North Carolina Department of Health Service

Regulation at 800-624-3004 → To file a complaint if you believe you have been

punished or retaliated against for reporting a crime, contact the North Carolina Department of Health Service Regulation at 800-624-3004 → You can call, fax or email a complaint at any time

S I LV E R A L E RT

S I LV E R A L E R T: I N T R O Definition A Silver Alert is an emergency notification system that assists in locating missing seniors, particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Importance Prompt response is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents who may wander away from our health center premises.

Collaboration If needed, Deerfield will work closely with local law enforcement agencies and community resources to initiate a swift and effective response to a missing resident.

CO M P O N E N T S O F S I LV E R A L E RT RESPONSE Immediate Action Staff members conduct a thorough search of the premises, utilizing our silver alert ID form, including common areas, rooms, and outdoor spaces within the unit and, if needed, expanding to campus grounds.

Notification If initial search does not to locate a missing resident, authorities are notified of the missing resident, providing critical information such as physical description, medical conditions, and last known whereabouts.

Mobilization A coordinated effort is made to mobilize search teams, deploy tracking resources, and alert the community through media channels and digital platforms to include the Deerfield campus and expanding to local communities.

S I LV E R A L E RT I N ACT I O N  When Deerfield initiates a Silver Alert, Deerfield staff

searches for the missing resident throughout all building and grounds  Dring a Silver Alert, all two-ways radios should be tuned to

Channel 8  Override Switches on doors should NEVER be used unless

instructed to do so by a supervisor  A Silver Alert Risk Assessment Form helps the nursing team

identify risk factors for elopement, with a particular focus on those with three or more risk factors

WANDERGUARD SYSTEM • Promotes safety for residents at risk due to

cognitive or other concerns

• Active in Skilled Nursing, Haden

Hall/Assisted Living and the Community Center

• When alarm is activated, designated staff

will use Access Cards to de-activate the alarm after locating the resident

• When the alarm is activated; our Life Safety

System will notify the Skilled Nursing Desk, some select radios, and some select staff work phones

NEXT STEPS COMPLETING YOUR TRAINING

TIME TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE! • Scan the QR code to take your

online quiz OR visit this link: 2025 Virtual Staff In Service

• Contact askhr@deerfieldwnc.org or

your supervisor with questions or if you need assistance