It's called being emotionally responsible and we hope to talk about it in the next issue of Quality Matters. See if there is someone who works better or isn't bothered by that person. Look at why the behavior is occurring. Focus on how to help the person rather than how to eliminate the behavior. If the indicators exist in all environments, then abuse is possible in all environments.
Abuse has a look, a taste, a feel and a sound.
It is sometimes more subtle than bruises or screams. It is often more insidious than blatant, reportable acts of aggression. Often, as staff persons, we can become desensitized to it. The four indicators of abuse act as antecedents to abusive behavior and of themselves, may not be stictly reportable in terms of Adult Protective Services. They are however, issues that should come up between staff people, with Directors and Supervisors, and maybe with Individual Planning Teams.