title: An ecological systems examination of elder abuse: a week in the life of adult protective services.
abstract: 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.
authors: a Institute for Biomedical Ethics , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland.
authors: Tenzin
authors: T
authors: Wangmo
authors: Pamela B
authors: PB
authors: Teaster
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Grace
authors: Wilson
authors: W
authors: Wong
authors: Marta S
authors: MS
authors: Mendiondo
authors: Caitlin
authors: C
authors: Blandford
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Fisher
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Fardo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017753:Ecosystem; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012306:Risk; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: allegations; ecological systems model; investigations; outcomes; substantiation