Final answer:
Joking about a client's incontinence is considered emotional abuse, a major category of elder abuse identified in a study by Dr. Ron Acierno. Emotional abuse includes verbal harassment or humiliation, which can cause significant emotional harm to individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joking with a client's sister about the client's incontinence would be classified as emotional abuse. This type of abuse includes behaviors such as verbal harassment or humiliation, both of which are represented in making jokes at the client's expense regarding a sensitive health issue. According to a study led by Dr. Ron Acierno in 2009, psychological or emotional abuse is one of the major categories of elder abuse.
In Acierno's research, which surveyed those aged sixty and above, emotional abuse was reported by 4.6 percent of the respondents. This shows that emotional abuse is a significant concern in the elder population. It's essential to treat all clients and patients with respect, and any form of mockery or ridicule can lead to severe emotional harm, negatively impacting the individual's well-being.