You arrive on scene of a "check the welfare" run. A neighbor meets you and states that she called because the elderly woman who lives in the home has not been seen outside in a while and she is concerned. She says a relative looks after the woman but that she is unsure when the relative was last there. You gain access to the residence and find a conscious but emaciated 76-year-old woman. There is no food in the house, and the woman has been unable to reach the bathroom for days. She says her granddaughter looks after her and is a "good girl" but she cannot remember when the granddaughter was last at the home. What general conclusions could be made in this situation?
A) This could be a case of elder abuse. Although you notice no outward signs of violence, the mere act of the caretaker neglecting this woman's needs is abuse. You should transport the woman and notify the proper authorities.
B) Check the woman thoroughly. If you find no acute medical problems, ask the neighbor to call the granddaughter and stay with the elderly woman until her caretaker has gone to the store and come by to clean up.
C) The woman has Alzheimer's and probably just can't remember to eat. Call the caretaker and have her come over.
D) The woman has developed an acute medical problem recently and an aggressive assessment is needed.
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