The Abuse Intervention Model: A Pragmatic Approach to Intervention for Elder Mistreatment

Abstract

Elder mistreatment is experienced by 10% of older adults and is much more common among older adults with dementia. It is associated with increased rates of psychological distress, hospitalization and death and, in the US, costs billions of dollars each year. Though elder mistreatment is relatively common and costly, it is estimated that less than 10% of instances of elder mistreatment are reported. Given these data, there is a great need for research on interventions to mitigate elder mistreatment, and a practical model or framework to use in approaching such interventions. While many theories have been proposed, adapted and applied to understand elder mistreatment, there has not been a simple, coherent framework of known risk factors of the victim, perpetrator, and environment that applies to all types of abuse. In this paper we present a new model to examine the multidimensional and complex relationships between risk factors. This model is informed by theories of elder mistreatment, research on risk factors for elder mistreatment and 10 years of experience of faculty and staff at an Elder Abuse Forensics Center who have investigated more than 1000 cases of elder mistreatment. We hope this model, the Abuse Intervention Model (AIM), will be used to study and intervene in elder mistreatment.

Planning for a Safe Discharge: More Than a Capacity Evaluation

“…Prominent researchers suggest evaluating the risk of elder mistreatment using a tool such as the three-pronged Abuse Intervention Model (AIM). 39 High-risk individuals, such as those identified by AIM, or patients presenting with concerning signs and symptoms, such as unexplained injury, soiled clothing, or improper hygiene, merit further evaluation, including being interviewed one on one. An investigation by Adult Protective Services (APS) can clarify the details of the patientʼs home situation and mobilize helpful community resources; APS has relationships with mental health programs, financial institutions, and legal services.…”

The Impact of Abuse on the Quality of Life of the Elderly: A Population-based Survey in Iran

“…The prevalence of elder abuse differs across settings such as families, communities, and institutions such as nursing homes and hospitals [7]. Additionally, quality of life (QoL) is an important phenomenon in relation to the elderly, and its improvement is another common topic of public interest [9]. Few studies have evaluated the relationship between elder abuse and the QoL of elderly people [10].…”

The feasibility of goal attainment scaling to measure case resolution in elder abuse and neglect adult protective services intervention

“…Therefore, the current GAS menu does not contain goals/scales reflecting direct practice with them. EM intervention theory recognizes a need to approach practice from an ecosystemic perspective that addresses vulnerabilities of the individual victim, the perpetrator, the victim-perpetrator relationship, as well as the surrounding environmental context (Burnes, 2016;Mosqueda et al, 2016). MAPS practitioners also report that victims often articulate a desire to obtain treatment/support for their familial perpetrator or others.…”