Have access already?

Get access to this chapter:

Or get access to the entire book:

Chapter 15: Screening and Investigation of Older Adult Abuse

Additional resources for this chapter

instructor material

DOI:

10.1891/9780826133496.0015

Abstract

This chapter focuses on identifying abuse through screening instruments and Adult Protective Services (APS) investigation. Oftentimes risk identification can be quickly accomplished through screening and then reports to APS can be made for a thorough assessment. Some factors that can correlate with risk for being a victim of older adult abuse are gender, shared living situation, health, age, quality of spousal relationship, history of abuse, and mental health or substance abuse by caregiver. The use of an instrument to evaluate if maltreatment might be occurring is termed screening. The chapter discusses the signs and symptoms of various types of older adult maltreatment as well as factors related to maltreatment, which screening tools may uncover. Some screening instruments are designed for APS workers to use throughout their care planning. APS carries out its responsibilities principally in conjunction with law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and long-term care ombudsman (LTCO).