scholarly journals Elder Abuse Victims During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Administrative Data From San Francisco Adult Protective Services

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 74-74
Author(s):  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Aining Wang ◽  
Laura Schwab-Reese ◽  
Sara Stratton

Abstract This study examined elder mistreatment victims’ experiences at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. San Francisco Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers conducted phone interviews to inquire about clients’ awareness of COVID-19 and unmet needs. Nine-hundred-and-thirty-four (71%) of 1,313 APS’ past clients or their collaterals were interviewed, with 741 (79%) responding positively to COVID-19-awareness questions, and 697 (75%) having no unmet needs. Binary logistic regression with Firth adjusted maximum likelihood estimation method revealed that older persons (p < .05), self-neglectors (p < .05), and victims of neglect (p < .05) were less aware of COVID-19. Unmet needs varied by mistreatment type. Victims of isolation were more likely to have medical needs (p < .05), while victims of emotional abuse were more likely to report loneliness (p < .001). Collaboration between service providers is key in assisting victims experiencing unmet needs to live safely in a public health crisis.

Author(s):  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Aining Wang ◽  
Laura M. Schwab-Reese ◽  
Sara K. Stratton

AbstractThis study examined elder mistreatment victims’ experiences at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on their COVID-19 awareness and unmet needs. San Francisco Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers conducted phone interviews with clients or collaterals (client’s family, trusted other, or service provider) to inquire about clients’ awareness of COVID-19 and unmet needs. Nine-hundred-and-thirty-four (71%) of 1,313 APS’ past clients or their collaterals were interviewed, with 741 (79%) responding positively to COVID-19-awareness questions, and 697 (75%) having no unmet needs. Binary logistic regression with Firth adjusted maximum likelihood estimation method revealed that older persons (p < .05), self-neglectors (p < .05), and victims of neglect (p < .05) were less aware of COVID-19. Unmet needs varied by mistreatment type. Victims of isolation were more likely to have medical needs (p < .05), while victims of emotional abuse were more likely to report loneliness (p < .001). Case notes reflected clients who were well-prepared for the pandemic, versus those who required additional assistance to follow preventative measures of the COVID-19 pandemic to stay home. Although the majority of San Francisco APS’ past clients experienced no unmet needs at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prolonged length and intensity of the pandemic could have exacerbated this vulnerable group’s situation. Collaboration between service providers is key in assisting victims experiencing unmet needs to live safely in a public health crisis, especially underserved victims of specific ethnic backgrounds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 323-324
Author(s):  
Stephanie Skees

Abstract Elder financial exploitation (EFE), defined by the National Center for Elder Abuse (2021) as “the misappropriation of an older person’s money or property,” is a continuing public health crisis shown to cost individuals at least $2.9 billion a year (MetLife Mature Market Institute, 2011). Many believe this impact will increase exponentially due to the effects of COVID-19. In fact, a recent study conducted by Chang & Levy (2021) found that the prevalence of elder abuse as a whole increased from 1 in 10 older adults to 1 in 5 in the past year. Although increased collaboration between state attorneys general, Adult Protective Services, and financial institutions has driven progress in the field; there is still little known regarding EFE interventions. To address this issue, this study conducts a scoping review of the EFE intervention literature. This approach was chosen over a systematic review primarily due to the lack of a universal definition of EFE, as well as the limited number of studies available delineating between EFE and elder abuse as a whole. The main findings of the review reveal that current EFE intervention practices are focused on preventing abuse before it occurs by addressing risk factors for abuse in older adults; and are largely reliant on Adult Protective Services and the legal system. This finding is significant because state policies differ in their qualifications of EFE, thus leaving many older adults vulnerable and unprotected. Further interventions that address EFE while it is occurring and alignment across governing bodies are needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 669-669
Author(s):  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Kendon Conrad ◽  
Kathleen Wilber

Abstract Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates and substantiates vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE) cases. The frontline social service agency also refers or provides needed services to ANE victims. Outcomes of APS has been scarce, with definitions of outcomes varying from study to study. Using a pretest-posttest design, we partnered with San Francisco and Napa APS to measure changes of ANE harm from case investigation (pretest) to case closure (posttest) using standardized measures called the Identification, Services, and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix. Forty-five APS supervisors and caseworkers used the ISO Matrix on 2,063 cases during the six-month pilot demonstration. Dr. Pi-Ju (Marian) Liu will examine findings on changes of ANE harm and APS services that effectively decreased ANE harm. Responding to 2020’s Annual Scientific Meeting theme “Turning 75: Why Age Matters”, ANE harm and APS services will be compared between younger APS clients age 18-64 and older ones above the age of 65. Dr. Zachary Hass will discuss allegation, abuse severity assessment, services provided, and outcomes across racial and language groups. Dr. Kendon Conrad will present reliability and validity of the ISO Matrix and a shorter version useful for APS practice. Ms Sara Stratton will review unusual cases with outlier ISO Matrix scores to inform researchers’ implementation and practitioners’ use of standardized measures. Dr. Kathleen Wilber, our discussant, will reflect on the use of standardized measures in APS and its impact on both practice and research based on the four presentations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
Pamela Teaster ◽  
Cory Bolkan

Abstract Beginning in the United States in 2020, SARS-CoV-2 lead to unprecedented changes in the lives of both younger and older people. Efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, which included physical distancing and self-quarantine not only upended the lives of many people but also created natural laboratory conditions for the mistreatment of older adults. Exploring the mistreatment of older adults during the pandemic presented an unprecedented opportunity to examine perspectives of service providers and affected older adults. This symposium offers four perspectives on this subject. Dr. Karen Roberto and colleagues will present changes and challenges that COVID-19 brought for Adult Protectives Service staff and the vulnerable adults whom they serve. Ms. Lori Smetanka and colleagues will present changes and challenges that COVID-19 created for state and local Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Dr. Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik and Ms. Tammy Seaver will report on how the pandemic affected Nevada Adult Protective Services clients, casework, and staff. Finally, Dr. Pamela Teaster and colleagues will discuss how older adults experienced exploitation attempts during the early months of the pandemic. Dr. Cory Bolkan will begin the discussion, highlighting how conditions brought about by COVID-19 both enabled and thwarted efforts to address elder abuse.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 73-73
Author(s):  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Pamela Teaster

Abstract The rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic. Public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and self-quarantine, have drastically altered people’s lives and led to social isolation, financial instability, and disrupted access to healthcare and social services. Older adults have not only borne the brunt of the highest COVID-19 mortality rates, but recent studies also describe growing reports of elder mistreatment. It is necessary to attend to these age-related disparities during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic and future health crises. This symposium includes four presentations on researchers’ findings in elder mistreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. E-Shien Chang will compare prevalence of elder mistreatment before and since the pandemic, and highlight associated risk and protective factors during the pandemic. Dr. Lena Makaroun will examine changes in elder mistreatment risk factors among caregivers during the pandemic. Dr. Pamela Teaster will present Adult Protective Services’ (APS) policy and practice changes in response to the pandemic to demonstrate the pandemic’s impact on service providers. Lastly, Dr. Pi-Ju (Marian) Liu will appraise elder mistreatment victims’ awareness of COVID-19 and their unmet needs during the pandemic. Following the four presentations, Dr. Pamela Teaster will moderate a discussion on how elder mistreatment is a growing concern, especially during the pandemic, and what service providers are doing to protect older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 695-695
Author(s):  
David Burnes ◽  
Marie-Therese Connolly ◽  
Patricia Kimball ◽  
Stuart Lewis ◽  
Erin Salvo

Abstract Despite recommendations to include a distinct intervention phase in Adult Protective Services (APS), most APS programs close cases following investigation/substantiation phases without engaging in a defined intervention phase. This study implements and evaluates a novel APS service planning/intervention model in the state of Maine. Using an experimental efficacy trial design with stratified random sampling at the level of Maine APS offices, this study compares standard APS care with an enhanced/integrated APS intervention model involving “elder advocates”. Advocates were trained in motivational interviewing, supported decision-making, teaming, restorative justice, and goal attainment scaling to develop capacity to work with both the older adult victim and perpetrator and to strengthen the family and social systems surrounding the victim-perpetrator dyad. This presentation will present results on the efficacy of this integrated APS/elder advocate model and discuss the challenges and successes in conducting elder abuse intervention research in collaboration with APS and APS clients. Part of a symposium sponsored by Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Elderly People Interest Group.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mosqueda ◽  
Aileen Wiglesworth ◽  
Alison A. Moore ◽  
Annie Nguyen ◽  
Melanie Gironda ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 47-47
Author(s):  
Jarmin Yeh ◽  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Jacques Perkins ◽  
Andrew Butler ◽  
Sara Stratton ◽  
...  

Abstract The historical lack of outcomes-related data in Adult Protective Services (APS) has affected funding coming to the program. Without data quantifying the effectiveness of APS services, policymakers have been unable to justify budget increases to improve wages for workers or professionalize the field. For the first time in APS history, the U.S. Administration for Community Living sponsored a pilot project to implement a novel evidence-based assessment tool into APS electronic systems, called the Identification, Services, and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix. The goal was to improve APS’ ability to reduce harm of abuse and neglect and maintain client’s independence to live in the community. APS workers in San Francisco and Napa Counties were trained and phased into using the ISO Matrix over a six-month implementation period. This poster presents findings from six focus groups conducted between February 13 and March 28, 2019, with 34 San Francisco and Napa County APS workers and supervisors. Utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviewing techniques, APS workers and supervisors expressed their views and experiences. Facilitators and barriers of implementing the ISO Matrix were assessed and opportunities for improvements were identified. Findings revealed a tension between their hopefulness that the ISO Matrix could modernize APS data-tracking and yield evidence of improved client outcome to bolster the field, and their frustrations about new burdens the ISO Matrix placed on their labor and workflow. Understanding frontline perspectives of APS workers and supervisors has practical and policy implications for adopting the ISO Matrix in other counties and states across the U.S.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-193
Author(s):  
Sabrina Pickens ◽  
Carmel B. Dyer

Elder abuse is a serious social and public health issue with estimates of approximately five and a half million annual reports in the U.S. Identifying and treating abused elders is difficult due to unstandardized protocols and identification guidelines as well as a lack of public awareness to the problem. An interdisciplinary approach in collaboration with Adult Protective Services investigation is paramount to the assessment and care for mistreated elders. Educating healthcare professionals, other professions, and the lay public through social media, local news, and community education can increase awareness to this often overlooked problem.


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