Caregivers provide personal care services for those who are suffering from illness or injury of all ages, including pediatrics, geriatrics, life-long challenges, and those near end-of-life.

ISSUE 6
SUBJECT LINKS
OUTSIDE OF BBPA

RECOGNIZED
PROCEDURES

ENRICHMENT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

INDICATORS OF ELDER ABUSE and PATIENT ABUSE

Even with increased awareness efforts, elder abuse remains a global burden largely due to the growing elder population. Caregivers need to be especially diligent about preventing abuse of their older patients and for those patients who are unable to manage their affairs in a reasonable manner. There are many common indicators of elder and patient abuse which is why they are often described and discussed together. We have grouped unacceptable behavior in the following sampling of what may constitute as abuse. Follow the guidelines of your local authorities if you suspect elder or patient abuse. Additional resources can be found toward the bottom of this article where we have provided three links to sites that are organized to offer assistant when elder/patient abuse is suspected.

ABANDOMENT
desertion by any individual who is responsible for providing care desertion by an individual or institution with physical custody of the patient EMOTIONAL or PSYCHOLOGICAL verbal, non-verbal, gestured assault, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, or harassment family and social isolation silent treatment speaking in a child-like manner FINANCIAL illegal or improper use of an elder's/patient's funds, property, or assets cashing a check, using an ATM or credit card without permission forging a signature
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NURSE ASSISTANT APPRECIATION

A nurse assistant, almost always is a certified nurse assistant (CNA), is a paramedical professional dedicated to nursing, housekeeping, and other chores as needed for the comfort of patients. The duties assigned a CNA are also outlined in the patient's healthcare plans. Nursing assistants work in specific environments as indicate by the following list of titles. We take the month of June to recognize the contributions of our nurse assistants and celebrate with them their compassion of nursing and their dedication to patient healthcare.
carer (caregiver) geriatric aide healthcare assistant hospice aide/assistant In-home care aid nurse aide/assistant patient care assistant personal care assistant resident assistant rehabilitation aide

CPR AND AED

The need for first aid or any life-saving procedure can occur at any time and any place. Caregivers need to make a thorough assessment of the injured person; i.e., is the individual conscious?, does he or she know their name?, can they explain what happened?, etc., before administering first aid.

If CPR is indicated (caregivers who are CNAs will know CPR, and as a professional standard all others should) apply in a manner consistent with the patient's surroundings and local laws.

The use of an AED will typically be administered by an EMT, EMS, fire and police officers, and nurses. If you are certified to use an AED and there happens to be one available, and it is genuinely needed, then use the AED as it was intended to be used. Always adhere to your local first responder or emergency response team guidelines of the use of an AED.

	FIRST AID
	First Aid is typically a non-invasive procedure using bandages, stints, and topical ointments. Assessment is made to determine what, if any, aid needs to follow. Training is recommended.
	CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
	CPR is administered after determining that the patient is not breathing or that the heart has stopped. Remember CPR is cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, maybe the heart, maybe the lungs, or maybe both. Certification is required.
	AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DIFIBULATOR
	An AED is used to help restart the heart when someone has sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heartbeat; the changed heartbeat prevents the heart from pumping blood as it should. Certification is required. More Information
The Red Cross/Red Crescent and St. John Ambulance (CA) have many training opportunities and options on how and where you learn. For information on training, training kits, first aid kits, and printed learning material click on the links below.

volume XIII
issue 6

JUNE, 2026

Showcase

BLOOD DONATIONS

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Illicit Drugs and
Human Trafficking

Whitefield Elementary School, UK
SUN SAFETY

BED BUGS

Nurse Assistant Appreciation

Summer Pests
(or not)

CPR and AED

Summer Safety

SUMMER PESTS

Summertime is a season full of fun and full of flying insects. Many countries have control protocols in place which helps main a safe living environment for their communities, but in some countries a bug borne pathogen is a leading cause of death. All it takes is one flea, tick, or mosquito to create havoc for individuals and especially children, the elderly, and those individuals with compromised immune systems. Join BBPA, the World Health Organization, and nations around the world who have demonstrate a concern for public health and the need of vector control.

The term vector which is used in science and mathematics is also a biological term to describe the causative organism for disease, typically carried by and transmitted by, an arthropod. Diseases include, but not limited to dengue, Japanese encephalitis, leishmaniasis, lyme disease, malaria, and yellow fever.

Arthropods are characterized by bilateral symmetry, a hard jointed exoskeleton system, segmented bodies, and jointed paired appendages. Arthropods belong to the asylum arthropoda group in the animal kingdom which has over one million species. Most of us call an arthropod an insect. Mosquitoes are the best known insect and can be carrying a disease causing pathogen (vector-borne disease). Other insects (or arthropods) include ticks, flies sandflies, and fleas.

Caregivers need to be their patient's advocate when it comes to air-borne diseases and the importance of keeping then safe, both inside an outside of living spaces. The caregiver and patient need to be current on all recommended vaccinations as set forth by their local board of health or the World Health Organization WHO. Caregivers need access to established vector control best-practices, and those procedures need to be a part of the patients health care plan. The following suggestions are for the caregiver and the patient.


1.	Dress appropriately for the outing, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, the patient also needs feet and ankles covered. Do not use bright colors.

2.	Be aware of what is in the air. When outdoors with your patient it is easier to recognize a possible vector problem when you see or hear a swarm of flying insects. In a swarm, know that one single insect can land quietly and stay long enough to pock unprotected skin and transfer any pathogens it may be carrying.

3.	Use a repellant approved by the patient's doctor and applied according to the label instructions or the instructions of the physician. Make certain this is documented in the patients health care plan. Immediately wash off the repellant once you have returned home.

4.	Do not go to areas where there is water, especially standing water. Avoid areas where you know has dead or dying trees and brush. A water source which has a lot of people and activities usually indicates that the water is safe and that the surroundings are maintained which help to reduce the number of insects.

PATIENTS and CAREGIVERS AS PEDESTRIANS
(SAFETY WITH AUTOMOBILES)

Distracted walking incidents are on the rise, and everyone looking at or talking on a cellular phone is at greater risk of injury or death; stop losing focus of your surroundings and do not put the safety of children and adults in your care at risk of injury. Keep your psychomotor skills ramped up and get to know your surroundings and establish does and don'ts for yourself, friends and family. Make sure to include keeping an eye on others too.

Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalk is available or useable, walk to the side of the road FACING traffic.
Cross streets at crosswalks. If no crosswalk is available and your view of traffic is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic, then look to your left, look to your right, and look left again before crossing the street. As you enter the intersection, make eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you.
Always wait for the walk signal while at a metered intersection, do not enter the intersection when you see the halt sign or “don't walk” Most metered street crossing have a count down timer, if you cannot make it across in the time displayed stay where you are and wait for the next signal change. Walk briskly through the intersection and stay off your cellular phone.
At road crossings that are not metered, never step into the street before looking for on coming or turning traffic, it is illegal to deliberately step in front of a moving car.
Stay alert – avoid cell phone use and wearing earbuds. No texting and walking.
Avoid alcohol and drug impairment when walking.
Wear bright and/or reflective clothing, and use a flashlight at night.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots, wait for them - there is no right-of-way.
Children younger than ten years of age should cross the street with an adult, hold the hand of those under the age of five.

image courtesy of Louisiana State Police

Deadly accidents between man and machine are also on the rise.

Follow the rules of the road, obeying all traffic signs and signals.
When driving, help keep pedestrians of all ages safe.
Obey all traffic laws, especially posted speed limits in school zones.
Watch for pedestrians at all times and be extra cautious when backing up.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, making eye contact to indicate that you see them.
Never pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.
Never change lanes in the middle of intersections.
Do not drive with tinted front windows or a tinted driver's window. You need to be able to see out as pedestrians need to be able to see in; if you don't want to be seen, don't sit in front of the steering wheel.
Stay alert – avoid distracted driving, put your cellular phone away.
Keep the volume inside of your car low so that you can hear and see the siren and lights of emergency vehicles, always pull over the the right and yield the right of way
It is okay to use your car's horn to warn of danger.
Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to traumatic events such as threat of injury or death, serious accident, combat, terrorist attack, sexual assault, physical assault, natural disaster, or childhood sexual and physical abuse.

Trained professionals can help individuals with intrusive memories, avoidance, coping skills, bereavement, emotional and stress support, negative mind and thinking changes, and changes in physical and mental reactions. For additional information visit Harvard Medical School, US | Kings College, UK

HELEN KELLER
DEAF-BLIND ACTIVIST

Helen Keller

b. June 27, 1880
Tuscumbia, Indiana, USA

d. June 1, 1968
Easton, Connecticut, USA

Helen Adams Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Ms. Keller lost her sight and her hearing after a serious illness when she was one and one-half years old.

Age-related sight and hearing conditions are rising as our population ages. With global guidance from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, countries have access to the necessary tools to make a real difference for people with sight and hearing loss by providing healthcare while helping to remove barriers to services and education.

SAFETY IN THE SUN

One hundred days of summer and everyone is out and about doing things they have never done before. Children and adults of all ages, people with guiding companions, those with physical or mental challenges, and carers with patients need to take precautions against the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Being out in the sun is enjoyable and healthy but too much of a good thing can be dangerous so limit your time in the sun especially between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. No matter what time of day, come rain or come shine, sun safety is a year-long, 24/7, responsibility.

The following chart helps define terminology used when discussing the sun's ultraviolet rays.

For additional content you can research at Britannica.

sun's factor	standard

climate change	is expected to impact UVR levels at the Earth’s surface
elevation	the higher the sun in the sky, the higher the UVR level. UVR levels vary with time of day and time of year.
altitude	UVR levels increase with altitude as the air is thinner and less UVR is absorbed
latitude	the closer to the equator, the higher the UVR levels.
cloud cover	UVR levels are highest under cloudless skies but can be high even with cloud cover
Ozone	reduced Ozone levels means less protection from the sun’s rays
reflection	reflective surfaces, such as water, sand and fresh snow, increase the UVR level

(Elder and Patient Abuse Prevention continues)

ABUSE continued

misusing or stealing money or possessions
coercing or deceiving the elder/patient into signing documents
improper use of conservatorship, guardianship, or power of attorney

NEGLECT

failure or refusal of an individual/caregiver to fulfill any part of their obligations or duties
fiduciary

failure of an individual with financial responsibilities to provide/pay for necessary care
failure of an in-home or institutional service provider to provide care

PHYSICAL ABUSE

physical force causing injury, pain, or impairment
acts of violence

striking (with or without an object)
hitting, beating, pushing, shoving
shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching
burning

SEXUAL ABUSE

nonconsensual sexual contact
sexual contact with a person who is not capable of giving consent
unwanted touching
sexual assault

rape
sodomy
coerced nudity (or unnecessary nudity)
explicit photographing, pornography

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https://www.insectweek.org/

Each brick below leads to Web sites which have resources for seniors and those who are victims of elder abuse. The first brick, eldercare locator, provides, among other things, a search engine to locate services in your area. The second brick, OVC, is a governmental (US) resource for those who are victims of financial fraud. And the third brick leads to an abundance of resources for caregivers and victims. Everyone should visit all three sites to gain an awareness of services that are available to seniors, seniors of abuse, caregivers, and families.


RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS Caregiver Action Network Family Caregiver Alliance AARP Caregiver Resources Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving Infant and Toddler Resource Guide La Bella Vita Hospice Health and Human Services	All patients in home health care, hospice or hospital need a Patient Health Care Plan. The plan (sometimes referred to as a treatment plan) is focused on the patient and is individualized and customized by the patient and the patient's healthcare team so that all available and relevant resources are utilized. Descriptors and Examples

The link below will take you to a Web site where you have access to resources for personalized care, home health aides, social services, bereavement support, inpatient care, and more!

image property of Agapé

If you need
answers to questions like, “how do I set up hospice services?” or “how do I choose my hospice provider?”

or perhaps “How long do services last?” Answers to these and other questions can be found at the HG Foundation, just a click away.

A Patient's Guide to Managing Hyperglycemia
in the Hospital and in the ICU. hyperglycemia image

Information on this Web site provides visitors with information for knowledge, awareness, and correspondence. Do not use the resources on this Web site as a substitute for professional medical care and we urge you to work with your medical care providers for answers to your personal health questions. This Web site is copyright protected and content represents information deemed reliable and accurate at the time of posting; content aligned with goals of the organization. All branding images used as url links are the property of the organizations to which they point. Linking of third-party information may need prior approval of the author.

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