Multidimensional Measurement Within Adult Protective Services: Design and Initial Testing of the Tool for Risk, Interventions, and Outcomes

Abstract

This study describes the development, field utility, reliability, and validity of the multidimensional Tool for Risk, Interventions, and Outcomes (TRIO) for use in Adult Protective Services (APS). The TRIO is designed to facilitate consistent APS practice and collect data related to multiple dimensions of typical interactions with APS clients, including the investigation and assessment of risks, the provision of APS interventions, and associated health and safety outcomes. Initial tests of the TRIO indicated high field utility, social worker “relevance and buy-in,” and inter-rater reliability. TRIO concurrent validity was demonstrated via appropriate patterns of TRIO item differentiation based on the type of observed confirmed abuse or neglect; and predictive validity was demonstrated by prediction of the risk of actual APS recurrence. The TRIO is a promising new tool that can help meet the challenges of providing and documenting effective APS practices and identifying those at high risk for future APS recurrence.

Development of short-form measures to assess four types of elder mistreatment: Findings from an evidence-based study of APS elder abuse substantiation decisions

“…This results in insufficient time to carefully investigate and respond to abuse allegations. Such chronic underfunding means that both APS research and practice suffer from lack of a solid knowledge base and evidence-based tools and protocols (Mixson, 2010; Mosqueda et al, 2016; Sommerfeld, Henderson, Snider, & Aarons, 2014). Additionally, there has been scant research to address reporting, assessment, and intervention that is statewide or potentially national in scope (Jackson & Hafemeister, 2013).…”

Emerging Innovations, Best Practices, and Evidence-Based Practices in Elder Abuse and Neglect: a Review of Recent Developments in the Field

“…SDM can enable APS agencies to make informed policy and practice decisions about how to direct and utilize limited resources on behalf of the adults who need them most (Park et al 2010;Johnson et al 2008). Four additional comprehensive models and protocols are also receiving more research attention: The APS Risk Assessment Protocol, the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS), the Screening Tools and Referral Protocol (STRP), and APS-TRIO (National Research Council 2003;Sommerfeld et al 2014). Among these models, two are considered potentially best practices due to their present state of evaluative data and research: APS-TRIO and EADSS.…”

“…APS-TRIO is a web-based protocol to assist field workers to successfully close cases. They use standardized tools to document risk factors, interventions and outcomes, with a focus on risk elimination and case closure (Sommerfeld et al 2014). EADSS is a web-based protocol, which uses standardized tools in the investigation process with positive evidence to support the use of some of its tools (Conrad et al 2013).…”

Preliminary Outcomes From a Community-Based Elder Abuse Risk and Evaluation Tool

“…Not surprisingly, however, most have been standardized for use in assessing elder abuse in Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies. These include, but are not limited to, the Structured Decision Making© system (Park, Johnson, Flasch, & Bogie, 2010), the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS; Conrad, Iris, Riley, Mensah, & Mazza, 2013), and the Tool for Risk, Interventions, and Outcomes (TRIO; Sommerfeld, Henderson, Snider, & Aarons, 2014). While these tools have proven to be effective for use within APS, they fall short of meeting the needs of community-based caseworkers working with older adults, some of whom are referred from APS when APS is unable to substantiate a claim of abuse, or if they don’t meet APS criteria for service provision.…”

“…For example, the elder abuse assessment tool TRIO was designed to include interventions, outcomes, and protective factors as well as precursors such as Bio-, Psycho-, and Social indicators (Sommerfeld et al, 2014). These precursors are especially important as they help determine risk factors related to self-neglect such as older adults who have cognitive impairments (Hildebrand, Taylor, & Bradway, 2014) and/or those who may need more help with their activities of daily living (ADLs; Lachs, Williams, O’Brien, Hurst, & Horwitz, 1997; Naik, Burnett, Pickens-Pace, & Dyer, 2008).…”