Detecting Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse In Residential Care Facilities

<p>The study found significant challenges in implementing effective detection investigation and resolution of elder abuse in RCFs. The major barrier in all States and all agencies was the lack of sufficient resources to perform their responsibilities. Underreporting of elder abuse in RCFs was found; and in many instances intake workers screened-out many cases that may have warranted further investigation or referral to other agencies. In addition investigative procedures were flawed due to the lack of forensic training and the timely completion of investigations. Significant barriers to case resolution were also found including policies that require intent for an act to be abuse. The involvement of police in elder abuse cases was uneven across jurisdictions. Further prosecutors and judges were often unprepared or unwilling to deal with elder abuse cases. Moreover unlicensed homes were a serious problem in some States. The study concludes that without some Federal standards and financial support for the investigation detection resolution and prevention of elder abuse in RCFs little progress will be made in addressing this crime. The study conducted a national survey of all State mandatory reporting laws a telephone survey of all agencies identified as the first responder agency to which complaints about elder abuse should be made and it reviewed all State RCF licensing laws. Focus groups were conducted with 22 long-term care ombudsmen from around the country. Intensive case studies were conducted in six States because of their special procedural features for dealing with elder abuse or the regulation of RCFs.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>