Short/Long Term Effects

The effects of abuse range from barely noticeable to completely devastating, even resulting in severe injury or death. 

Short term effects can be temporary and appear trivial but can lead to long term damage in apparently unconnected ways.

Case Study: 

Jason is a middle aged man, with Huntingdon’s Chorea. He lives in a residential home as he requires a lot of personal care. When getting dressed one morning he asks to wear his favourite sweatshirt. The HCP supporting him has a quick look in the drawer but can’t find it. He is too busy to look for the sweatshirt so puts a wool jumper on Jason. Jason asks for it to be taken off as it itches but the HCP tells him that it is nearly breakfast time and the HCP has other people to dress and that Jason should stop whinging.

Short term effects:

 Jason is itchy and uncomfortable. He also feels cross and that his wishes are ignored.

Long term effects:

Jason feels devalued and ignored. This can lean to depression and social isolation. Jason may also feel there is no point in telling the HCP anything so may not tell the HCP something important such as his urine bag is full – this can lead to urinary tract infections and other health problems.

Task 6

Using your answers for task three as a basis, identify at least two short term effects for each type of abuse. Then identify one physical and one psychological long term effect for each of the short term effects. This will help you complete your assignment.