Cross-validation of the screening scale in an adult protective services sample

• NCJ Number: 254193
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 25-37
• Author(s): Rebecca J. Campbell; Evan Gross; Peter A. Lichtenberg
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-MU-CX-0001
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

This study applied the clinical cutoff scores derived from a previous study to a new sample of cases investigated by adult protective services agencies as possible financial exploitation of elderly persons.

Abstract

Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals are often called on to assess decision-making capacity when investigating financial exploitation. Previous research found that in consecutive APS cases, a decision-making screening scale (LFDSS) detected financial exploitation. The current study used a sample of 105 participants from APS workers across five counties to investigate the clinical utility of the LFDSS in detecting financial exploitation based on ratings by APS professionals using the scale. Results demonstrate that the LFDSS has excellent internal consistency and clinical utility. Thus, this study provides support for use of the LFDSS as a reliable and valid instrument. Instructions for use of the LFDSS are included in this article, along with information about online support tools. (publisher abstract modified)