174 Addressing elder abuse in the united states: federal guidelines for adult protective services

Abstract Adult protective services and other community-based agencies respond to hundreds of thousands of elder abuse cases annually in the United States; however, few studies include elder abuse victims’ voices. This study explored the most distressing aspects of elder abuse, as identified by victims themselves; to date, this is the first known study on this topic. Guided by a phenomenological qualitative methodology, this study conducted in-person, semi-structured interviews with a sample of elder abuse victims (n = 30) recruited from a community-based elder abuse social service program in New York City. To enhance trustworthiness, two researchers independently analyzed transcript data to identify key transcript codes/themes. Distressing aspects of elder abuse were identified across three key domains, related to feelings of loss (50% of codes), threats/negative consequences (55%), and client-needs/system incongruity (14%). Specifically, the first theme represented outcomes related to loss of relationships (19% of ‘loss’ codes), personhood (16%), credibility (19%), faith/trust in others (38%), and finances (8%). The second theme looked at threats to physical self (34% of ‘threat’ codes), psyche (39%), and others, including the perpetrator (27%). The third theme focused on mismatches in client/system goals (50% of ‘incongruity’ codes) and legal system involvement (50%). The findings in this study provide a comprehensive and conceptually organized range of aspects to serve as infrastructure for the development of meaningful interventions to address the needs of victims. This study represents one of the largest efforts to understand and integrate the perspectives and needs of victims into elder abuse intervention practice/research to date.

Download Full-text

Abuse of and Intervention for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.329 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 86-86

Author(s):

Pamela Teaster ◽

Cory Bolkan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Service Providers ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

The United States ◽

Protective Services ◽

Term Care ◽

Adult Protective Services ◽

Service Staff ◽

State And Local ◽

Novel Coronavirus

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.

Download Full-text

Interprofessional Collaboration to Address Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation With Adult Protective Services

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2435 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 695-695

Author(s):

Pi-Ju Liu ◽

Bridget Penhale

Keyword(s):

Elder Abuse ◽

Interprofessional Collaboration ◽

The United States ◽

Case Managers ◽

Service Planning ◽

Team Work ◽

Multidisciplinary Teams ◽

Job Responsibilities ◽

Protective Services ◽

Adult Protective Services

Abstract Adult Protective Services (APS) is responsible for investigating reports of abuse, exploitation, and neglect among vulnerable adults. Additionally, APS also refers or provides needed services to victims. Though APS also takes the lead position in investigation and service planning, determining harm and designing person-centered remedies often require other professionals to be prepared to address these elder justice issues with APS. Afterall, adult safeguarding is everybody’s business. This symposium includes four presentations on researchers’ findings working with APS and other professionals. Dr. Burnes will compare outcomes on usual APS care (APS only) versus enhanced APS care (APS plus advocate who are case managers). Dr. Pi-Ju (Marian) Liu will examine nurses’ role in working in and with APS, focusing on how their job responsibilities are different from other nurses and APS social workers. Dr. Jason Burnett will present an innovative referral portal linking banks and other financial firms directly to APS. Lastly, Dr. Zachary Gassoumis will appraise the multidisciplinary teams across the country, including professionals involved, and provide input on what makes a team work well together. Following the four presentations, Dr. Bridget Penhale will open up the discussion regarding protective agencies’ operations and collaboration with other agencies, focusing on the comparison between protective agencies in the United States and European countries. Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Elderly People Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Download Full-text