Carolyn L. Clark-Daniels

Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly: Are Emergency Department Personnel Aware of Mandatory Reporting Laws?

Alabama emergency department personnel were surveyed in 1988 concerning elder abuse and Alabamas mandatory reporting and protective services law. Most ED personnel did not understand the requirements of the law. While emergency physicians, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses had seen cases of elder abuse in their careers, differences existed in their satisfaction with the disposition of cases reported to state authorities. Licensed practical nurses and physicians reported greater satisfaction with the response received; registered nurses were much less satisfied. However, all accepted responsibility for reporting elder abuse. ED registered nurses and emergency physicians were divided on the degree to which they could diagnose elder abuse, did not believe there were sufficient services to care for those who had been abused, and were unsure whether there were procedures for reporting cases of elder abuse. All ED personnel need to know that cases they report will result in protection of abuse victims.

Police discretion and elder mistreatment: A nested model of observation, reporting, and satisfaction

This study examined police reporting behavior in elder mistreatment (abuse, neglect, and exploitation) cases. Relying on a survey of police officers in Alabama, this research investigates a nested model of mandatory reporting using linear regression techniques. Only about half of all elder mistreatment cases are reported to the proper authorities. Job experience, contact with the elderly, understanding of mistreatment laws, and positive attitudes toward reporting should increase detection, reporting, and overall satisfaction with the system. These causal factors, however, increased detection and reporting, but not satisfaction. Improvements in training and knowledge in elder mistreatment can be counterpro-ductive.

The dilemma of elder abuse

The Alabama Protective Services Act of 1976 was designed to protect adults over 18 made vulnerable because of age, mental deficiency, or poor health. All practitioners of the healing arts are mandated to report if there is reasonable cause to believe abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred.

Two Models of Administrative Behavior:: Explaining Outputs in Cases of Elder Mistreatment

Determining the veracity of allegations made about mistreated elderly often requires decisions by street level social workers. These social workers use their own judment when drawing conclusions about cases. An overarching model of social equity seems to apply. Two possible models under social equity that social workers may be using are strict equality and vulnerability. When strict equality is the prevalent model, all victims will receive the services they want without regard to the degree of need. If social workers make decisions based on the circumstances, social workers may be using a vulnerability model. When social workers use the vulnerability model in their decision making, the more vulnerable persons will receive services before those considered less vulnerable. This case study examines the administrative decisions made by welfare department social workers when receiving allegations, making investigations, and determining placement. Two factors will aid in ascertaining which of the two models bes...