FULMER ELDER Instrument
Definition
A validated nursing assessment tool developed by Terry Fulmer to screen systematically for elder abuse across all subtypes. Uses direct observation, history taking, and targeted questions to organise findings into a structured clinical record.
- Developer
- Terry Fulmer
- Field
- Nursing elder abuse assessment
- Method
- Direct observation, history taking, targeted questions
- Scope
- Screens across all elder abuse subtypes
Common questions
How is this instrument used differently from a physical exam alone?+
It structures the clinician's observations and interview responses into a standardised record covering physical, psychological, and neglect indicators together, rather than relying on an unstructured narrative note that may omit categories the examiner did not think to probe.
Does a completed assessment establish that abuse occurred?+
No. It is a screening and documentation tool that organises suspicious findings for referral and further investigation; it supports a clinical judgment rather than substituting for a forensic or legal determination of abuse.
Related terms
- Capacity
- The ability of a person to understand information relevant to a decision, retain it, weigh options, and communicate a choice. Capacity is...
- Coercive Control
- A pattern of behaviour in intimate relationships that seeks to deny autonomy and dominate the victim through means including isolation, monitoring, financial...
- Elder Abuse
- A single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship of trust that causes harm or distress to...
- Financial Abuse
- The illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets. Includes theft, misuse of power of attorney, coercion into...
- Neglect
- Failure by a caregiver to provide the basic necessities of life (food, fluids, hygiene, medication, medical care) when they have the capacity...