This webinar is conducted by Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology. It presents a study that uses a public health model to examine allegations of elder abuse made to Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) and the investigations 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 three study tools.
This webinar is conducted by Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology. It presents a study that uses a public health model to examine allegations of elder abuse made to Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) and the investigations 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 three study tools. Allegations and resulting investigations were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results describe characteristics of the abuse calls, investigations, victims, perpetrators, and investigation times. The substantiation ratio, recidivism, and whether investigation increased or decreased the risk of abuse were also assessed. Examining APS casework through the lens of nested systems (ecological systems theory) has the potential to improve the outcomes of those served by APS and can be used as a model for APS programs across the country.