TY - JOUR
T1 - An Ecological Systems Examination of Elder Abuse
T2 - A Week in the Life of Adult Protective Services
AU - Wangmo, Tenzin
AU - Teaster, Pamela B.
AU - Grace, James
AU - Wong, Wilson
AU - Mendiondo, Marta S.
AU - Blandford, Caitlin
AU - Fisher, Steve
AU - Fardo, David W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2014/10/30
Y1 - 2014/10/30
N2 - Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model, this study examined allegations of elder abuse made to Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) and the investigation that followed, in order to understand how APS addressed the needs of abused elders. Elder abuse allegations made to APS during the study week were collected using 3 study tools. Allegations and resulting investigations were analyzed. During the study week, APS received 1,002 calls alleging elder abuse. Of these, 483 were categorized as reports needing protective services, with 177 reports screened in for investigation and 167 actually investigated. Results describe characteristics of abuse calls, investigations, victims, perpetrators, and total investigation times. Substantiation ratio, recidivism, and whether investigation increased or decreased the risk of abuse were also assessed. An examination of APS casework through the lens of nested systems frames the study findings and discussion. Such an examination has the potential to improve the quality of services provided to older adults.
AB - Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model, this study examined allegations of elder abuse made to Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) and the investigation that followed, in order to understand how APS addressed the needs of abused elders. Elder abuse allegations made to APS during the study week were collected using 3 study tools. Allegations and resulting investigations were analyzed. During the study week, APS received 1,002 calls alleging elder abuse. Of these, 483 were categorized as reports needing protective services, with 177 reports screened in for investigation and 167 actually investigated. Results describe characteristics of abuse calls, investigations, victims, perpetrators, and total investigation times. Substantiation ratio, recidivism, and whether investigation increased or decreased the risk of abuse were also assessed. An examination of APS casework through the lens of nested systems frames the study findings and discussion. Such an examination has the potential to improve the quality of services provided to older adults.
KW - allegations
KW - ecological systems model
KW - investigations
KW - outcomes
KW - substantiation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84908206040&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84908206040&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08946566.2013.800463
DO - 10.1080/08946566.2013.800463
M3 - Article
C2 - 24965803
AN - SCOPUS:84908206040
SN - 0894-6566
VL - 26
SP - 440
EP - 457
JO - Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect
JF - Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect
IS - 5
ER -