Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

American Medical Association Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire

How are you?

Caregivers often are so concerned with caring for their relative's needs that they lose sight of their own wellbeing. Please take just a moment to answer the following questions. Once you have answered the questions, do a self-evaluation.

During the past week or so, I have

1. Had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing
2. Felt that I couldn't leave my relative alone
3. Had difficulty making decisions
4. Felt completely overwhelmed
5. Felt useful and needed
6. Felt lonely
7. Been upset that my relative has changed so much from his/her former self
8. Felt a loss of privacy and/or personal time
9. Been edgy or irritable
10. Had sleep disturbed because of caring for my relative
11. Had a crying spell(s)
12. Felt strained between work and family responsibilities
13. Had back pain
14. Felt ill (headaches, stomach problems or common cold)
15. Been satisfied with the support my family has given me
16. Found my relative's living situation to be inconvenient or a barrier to care

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "not stressful" to 10 being "extremely stressful," please rate your current level of stress. _________

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "very healthy" to 10 being "very ill," please rate your current health compared to what it was this time last year. _________

Comments:
(Please feel free to comment or provide feedback)

Self-evaluation:

To Determine the Score:

1. Reverse score questions 5 and 15. (For example, a "No" response should be counted as "Yes" and a "Yes" response should be counted as "No"
2. Total the number of "Yes" responses.

To Interpret the Score:

Chances are that you are experiencing a high degree of distress:

• If you answered "Yes" to either or both Questions 4 and 11; or
• If your total "Yes" score = 10 or more; or
• If your score on Question 17 is 6 or higher; or
• If your score on Question 18 is 6 or higher.

Next steps:

• Consider seeing a doctor for a check-up for yourself.
• Consider having some relief from caregiving. (Discuss with the doctor or a social worker the resources available in your community.)
• Consider joining a support group.

Source: American Medical Association. (n.d.) Caregiver self-assessment questionnaire. Available from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/upload/mm/36/caregivertooleng.pdf