Abuse, Neglect, and Sexual Harassment Policy

DEFINITIONS

PHYSICAL ABUSE: Physical abuse is any act by another individual involving physical contact intended to cause pain, injury, physical suffering, or bodily harm.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: Psychological abuse is verbal or non-verbal behavior that subjects or exposes a person to actions that may cause mental trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT: Sexual abuse includes forcing undesired sexual behavior on another person. It also includes improper dressing or conduct that exposes body parts and may lead to sexual provocation. Sexual harassment may be physical, verbal, written, or visual in nature.

VERBAL ABUSE: Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to: countering, withholding, discounting, making jokes at another’s expense, blocking or diverting conversation, accusing, blaming, judging, criticizing, trivializing, undermining, threatening, name-calling, or teasing directed toward the client.

GRATIFICATION: Any monetary or non-monetary reward or benefit given to induce pleasure or express satisfaction.

POLICY AND COMMENTS:

1. All caregivers share in the responsibility of ensuring that all clients receive services that are free from abuse and neglect.

2. All clients shall be treated with respect and shall not be demeaned, belittled, or degraded.

3. All caregivers must always appear professional, with scrubs and name tags properly displayed while on duty in the client’s home.

4. Caregivers must not engage in any form of sexual behavior with clients, including— but not limited to—discussing personal sexual preferences or engaging in any act that implies intended sexual misconduct.

5. Caregivers must not accept any form of gratification—monetary, gifts, or any other reward—from clients.

6. Caregivers must report any form of abuse or suspected abuse—physical, psychological, or sexual—to the agency at the first occurrence.

7. A1-Omega Healthcare Services will not hire individuals with a conviction or prior history of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of children, elderly individuals, or any vulnerable population. Past employment references will be checked per federal, state, and local rules and regulations.

8. A1-Omega Healthcare Services will actively and thoroughly investigate all allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Upon the initial report, formal investigative procedures will be followed.

9. Immediately upon observing or discovering any abuse or neglect, a report must be made to the Agency Administrator or Supervisor. Failure to report may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

10. Guardians, advocates, care coordinators, case managers, and appropriate state or federal agencies will be notified in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

11. A preliminary decision regarding all allegations shall be made within five (5) calendar days of the report, unless doing so would conflict with protective services procedures. A final written report must be completed within seven (7) days of the incident.

12. All employees and contractors will receive training at least annually on preventing and reporting abuse, mistreatment, or neglect, as well as training in appropriate approaches for working with individuals with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

13. Any person who experiences retaliatory action after making a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation—or whose report is ignored without cause—must immediately contact the Agency Director or RN Supervisor.

14. Any employee or contractor found guilty of retaliatory action may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination.

15. Caregivers must not engage in third-party arrangements with clients to provide services while on duty or while employed by A1-Omega Healthcare Services.

16. Any request by clients for additional or extra services must be submitted through the agency and properly documented.

17. All weapons are prohibited in the office and in client homes.