Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Study of Adult Protective Service Workers in the United States

• NCJ Number: 125384
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 31-49
• Author(s): R Dolon; B Blakely
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines the frequency of certain contributing factors in elder abuse cases, the barriers to service for victims of elder abuse, the perceived effectiveness of various intervention methods in cases of elder abuse, the incidence of different outcomes in cases of elder abuse, and the potential of various community resources for reducing rates of elder abuse. Data were collected through questionnaires answered by 1137 adult protective service workers nationwide.

Abstract

Although the reported incidence of elder abuse and neglect in this study was high, it fell short of recent estimates of the national incidence, but other mistreatment and deprivation problems emerged from the data, including self-neglect and exploitation. The most commonly observed factor in elder abuse was family conflict, while lack of financial resources, substandard living conditions, and substance abuse were among the least reported factors. Physical dependency, inadequate support, lack of financial resources, and substandard living conditions were the primary factors in cases of elder neglect. Psychological and physiological conditions of the victims of abuse and neglect were the most frequent barriers to services. The intervention methods perceived to be most effective were changing the victims' living situations, planning and arranging for appropriate services, and making home visits; the least effective involved courts, advocacy roles, or individualized approaches. The most commonly observed outcomes of both abuse and neglect cases are that clients enter long-term care facilities or hospitals; criminal prosecution was the only outcome rated as comparatively rare. In terms of community resources, social services, home health aides, agency homemakers, and visiting nurses were thought to have the greatest potential for reducing abuse and neglect. 5 tables, 7 references. (Author abstract modified)