Training to spot elder abuse proposed

CARSON CITY — Lawmakers were told Wednesday that many doctors, counselors and other professionals who deal with seniors don’t always recognize signs of abuse and need to get online training that would help them spot such mistreatment.

AB260 would create an online course on recognizing different kinds of elder abuse and require professionals who deal with seniors to complete the course once a year.

“I think everybody thinks they know what it is when they see it, but I am amazed at some of the different ways that elder abuse occurs,” Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, said in outlining AB260 during an Assembly Government Affairs Committee hearing.

The bill would require at least 30 different types of professionals in fields such as dentistry, optometry, podiatry and chiropractic to take the course, along with workers more traditionally associated with senior care such as medical and nursing home staffers, social workers and group caregivers.

Mark Nichols of the Nevada chapter of the National Association of Social Workers said he supports the concept of elder abuse awareness, but said the bill “creates unnecessary hardship” for professionals.

Brett Kandt, representing the state attorney general’s office, said the office already has authority to prosecute elder abuse crimes and to help police as necessary, and does so using existing funds and staff.