Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse
Intervention Basics
Primary intervention approaches include measures to protect, empower, or advocate on behalf of older adults:
- Protection approaches are modeled after child abuse interventions and include mandatory reporting requirements.
- Empowerment measures are those based on the domestic violence interventions.
- Advocacy approaches originated from the aging advocacy network and stress the rights of older adults.
Intervention services may include:
- Emergency responses, such as hotlines, and shelters.
- Support services, such as personal care and home-delivered meals.
- Rehabilitation services, such as counseling and substance abuse treatments.
- Prevention, such as training in caregiving and education.
Variables to consider in determining interventions include:ref
- Urgency of the situation
- Involvement of people other than the victim and perpetrator
- Capabilities of the involved parties
- Forms of abuse
- Cooperation of involved parties
Community Responses
In light of the challenges inherent in addressing all aspects of elder abuse, elder abuse groups and adult protective service workers have found they need to coordinate their services and outreach efforts. Many communities are forming special task forces focusing on elder abuse (as well as other family violence issues). Other communities have established elder abuse networks for education, advocacy, and programming. One of the most promising approaches in the treatment and prevention of elder abuse in communities is the creation of multidisciplinary teams to review cases that involve diverse systems. (Module 6 includes more information about multidisciplinary teams)ref
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Last Updated: 8/3/04
SAMHSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
