NCJ Number
152108
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 23-37
Date Published
1994
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article describes the work of the Elder Assessment Team (EAT) at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Mass., which began as a 12-member team to address the complex issues of abuse and neglect of elders seeking treatment at the hospital.
Abstract
The core team is comprised of a clinical social worker, a nurse practitioner, and a physician, all of whom have professional training and additional credentials in geriatrics. The EAT has a two-part mission: to provide consultation and support to hospital staff around the clinical assessment of cases of suspected abused or neglected patients over 60 years old and to educate hospital staff about the prevalence and treatment of elder abuse and neglect by providing training and information on identifying signs and symptoms, developing interventions, and increasing understanding of the legal mandates with regard to reporting cases to State authorities. The EAT core team convenes whenever a case is referred and maps out a course of action. In response to an EAT referral, initial assessment includes review of the medical record, interviewing the patient and family, consultation with nursing and physician staff involved with the elder, and consultation with social work staff regarding patient/family assessments. Four EAT cases, each of which shows an important dimension of the challenges posed by elder abuse, are described in this article. 1 table and 11 references