Things to consider while investigating Personal Degradation. Is the caregiver purposefully:
- Shaming
- Degrading
- Humiliating the vulnerable adult
- Using electronic devices to shame the vulnerable adult
Definition of Personal Degradation:
Means a willful act by a caretaker intended to shame, degrade, humiliate, or otherwise harm the personal dignity of a vulnerable adult, or where the caretaker knew or reasonably should have known the act would cause shame, degradation, humiliation, or harm to the personal dignity of a reasonable person.
Personal degradation includes the taking, transmitting, or display of an electronic image of a vulnerable adult by a caretaker, where the caretaker’s actions constitute a willful act intended to shame, degrade, humiliate, or otherwise harm the personal dignity of the dependent adult, or where the caretaker knew or reasonably should have known the act would cause shame, degradation, humiliation, or harm to the personal dignity of a reasonable person.
Personal degradation does not include, the taking, transmission, or display of an electronic image of a vulnerable adult:
- For the purpose of reporting vulnerable adult abuse to law enforcement, Oklahoma Human Services, or other regulatory agency that oversees caretakers or enforces abuse or neglect laws or rules;
- For the purpose of treatment or diagnosis; or
- As part of an ongoing investigation.
Example of Appropriate Findings Narrative
Example of Substantiated Allegation:
The allegation of caretaker personal degradation against the alleged perpetrator Miss Piggy has been substantiated based on the evidence obtained by collateral interviews and supporting documents.
The client is a 79-year-old male who lives with his daughter, Ms. Piggy. He has been diagnosed with diabetes, COPD, heart failure, is incontinent of bowel and bladder and uses a walker for mobility. He has capacity to make his own financial and medical decisions.
Ms. Piggy continued to complain about having to clean up the client’s bowel movements and stated, “if you keep messing all over yourself, I am going to post it on my Facebook page.” Ms. Piggy posted pictures of the client on Facebook defecating and urinating down his leg which caused the client to feel humiliated and shameful.
Client has now moved into an assisted living and has minimal contact with his daughter.
Example of Unsubstantiated Allegation:
The allegation of caretaker personal degradation against the alleged perpetrator Penelope Pigg has been unsubstantiated based on the evidence obtained by collateral interviews and supporting documents.
The client is an 84-year-old female who lives with her daughter Penelope Pigg. She has been diagnosed with diabetes and is confined to a wheelchair. She has capacity to make her own financial and medical decisions.
The client gave approval for Ms. Pigg to take a photo of her while she sat in the wheelchair to show Medicare the condition of the chair and to provide proof that a bigger chair was needed.
The client’s 12-year-old granddaughter shared the picture with her friends which caused the client to feel humiliated.
