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There is a fine line between what is the normal family dynamic and what is abuse. If you call APS they will certainly investigate. Most likely they will determine that she has a safe home with adequate medical care and food. The mom will never tell an APS worker that she is being abused by her daughter because the alternative is to go to a nursing home. Without that happening there are no obvious signs of abuse or danger to the mom. APS will have no reason to monitor her status.
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If this mother was in a nursing home and was treated this way, it would be reported as abuse. Perhaps the daughter is just giving up on her mom and is depressed and does not know how to handle the situation. Is there a support group in her area for care givers?
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Pam absolutely agree this is abuse in a big way. If this elderly woman were to die as a direct results of not being given her meds and, considering that you know, your daughter MUST know that meds have not been given then she would be regarded as aiding and abetting A CRIME which is likely to be involuntary manslaughter but could in fact be mush more.
THIS IS MEDICATION ABUSE at its minimum

There is no excuse for shouting at her mum none whatsoever. I never shout at mum - I do go and scream in the garage; I do rant in here; But never at her. If your daughter finds J intimidating just imagine how her vulnerable mum feels. THIS IS EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Equally leaving her in beds for extended periods is neglect and could result in a whole host of difficult to treat issues the least of which is probably bed sores. THIS IS NEGLECT

If you need further proof have a look at this site:
http://www.ilrctbay.com/upload/custom/abuse/content/factsheets.htm

Its a canadian website but abuse is pretty much universal

SHE MUST REPORT IT - SHE HAS A DUTY OF CARE TO
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Speaking as a full-time caregiver, I can say it is understandable to be irritated and overwhelmed at times...and impatient and snappy. But there's a world of difference between snappy and impatient and yelling, swearing, and demeaning. The latter is definitely emotional abuse and reportable under state statutes on elder abuse. Even if Mom was a total b**** with J in the past this is not a healthy situation for either Mom or J. I agree that your daughter should speak to her nursing supervisor (maybe presenting it as a hypothetical situation at first). Sounds like a change in living situation would be in everyone's best interests.
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Always easy to make a judgement call from the outside looking in. To outsiders my mom is a sweet old lady. I know better. Stay neutral. J's got a life to live, so does the mom. Do your job and stop playing counselor(unless there is a physical reason)
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she said the woman asked her why her daughter doesn't like her so evidently there's something going on, though, granted, the daughter would probably just dismiss it as "just being in mom's head" or some such - what kind of meds is mom supposed to be on?
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For Heaven's sake, she should make the call to APS. She is witnessing a crime in progress. RN's are mandated to report abuse, didn't they teach her that yet?
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Is there any way that your daughter can talk to the mother to see how she is with the treatment? Is she fearful or does she feel neglected. Can she ask the mom what she would like to happen? Is the mother lucid and able to make decisions?
If the mother is OK with the daughter's care then perhaps your daughter should look for a different position. There is a huge need for help for the elderly these days.
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This is a tough call. As Cwillie points out, neither you or your daughter are able to determine what the family dynamics are, especially how the daughter and mother interact when they're alone, or what other issues are influential.

I think I would take a different approach. Your daughter can speak privately with "J", emphasize that she's a nursing student and is anxious to learn all she can, especially about a caregiver's family dynamics as well as the relationship between the elderly person and her/his caregivers. Make it a general statement and inquiry, and a quest for advice and counsel for a young novice from an experienced caregiver.

Perhaps J will be flattered that her opinion is valued and be more candid in sharing her experiences and position. And it might even be the only compliment she gets for her labors.
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You say "I know that there is likely a lifetime of baggage that impacts the pair's current relationship". You don't say how long your daughter has worked for these people or if she sees and interacts with any other family members. It is possible that this kind of behavior is just par for the course in this family and the family dynamic is long established. Yelling, swearing etc can seem demeaning and hurtful and is difficult for outsiders to witness, but it could also seem perfectly normal to this family, the key I think is how the elderly woman reacts to it. Does she cringe and weep? Yell back? Totally ignore it/not seem to care?

As for not waking her for meds and letting her stay in bed all day, there are times when I have done the same with my mom, so again it all needs to be taken into context. If her needs are met most of the time a little flexibility is usually not going to be harmful.

I'm not saying your daughter should turn a blind eye to obvious abuse, but she is a brand new (idealistic?) young student nurse who perhaps has not had much life experience. The other caregivers seem to agree the caregiver daughter is pushy and can be unpleasant, but they don't seem to be concerned for the mom's well-being. Is there a school counsellor she could confide in and ask for advise?
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Have your daughter suggest that the patient ask her daughter to put her into assisted living.
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