Establishing a case-finding and referral system for at-risk older individuals in the emergency department setting: the SIGNET model.

Older emergency department (ED) patients have complex medical, social, and physical problems. We established a program at four ED sites to improve case finding of at-risk older adults and provide comprehensive assessment in the ED setting with formal linkage to community agencies. The objectives of the program are to (1) improve case finding of at-risk older ED patients, (2) improve care planning and referral for those returning home, and (3) create a coordinated network of existing medical and community services. The four sites are a 1,000-bed teaching center, a 700-bed county teaching hospital, a 400-bed community hospital, and a health maintenance organization (HMO) ED site. Ten community agencies also participated in the study: four agencies associated with the hospital/HMO sites, two nonprofit private agencies, and four public agencies. Case finding is done using a simple screening assessment completed by the primary or triage nurse. A geriatric clinical nurse specialist (GCNS) further assesses those considered at risk. Patients with unmet medical, social, or health needs are referred to their primary physicians or to outpatient geriatric evaluation and management centers and to community agencies. After 18 months, the program has been successfully implemented at all four sites. Primary nurses screened over 70% (n = 28,437) of all older ED patients, GCNSs conducted 3,757 comprehensive assessments, participating agency referrals increased sixfold, and few patients refused the GCNS assessment or subsequent referral services. Thus, case finding and community linkage programs for at-risk older adults are feasible in the ED setting.

A model intervention for elder abuse and dementia.

This article describes a 2-year collaborative project in Cleveland, OH, that improved the reporting and management of potential and suspected elder abuse situations involving persons with dementia. Educational curricula for cross-training, screening tools, and referral protocols were developed and tested for staff and volunteers in adult protective services and dementia care. A handbook for caregivers of persons with dementia was produced that enables caregivers to self-identify elder abuse risk and seek appropriate interventions to prevent abuse. Project organization, implementation, and evaluation are discussed along with strategies for replication in other communities.

Elderly adult survivors of family violence. Implications for clinical practice.

PIP: This article on elderly adult survivors of domestic violence (usually women) reviews the literature that examines the impact on later life of domestic violence experienced earlier in life and that examines the effects of elder abuse perpetrated by adult family members. The discussion is illustrated with case studies and figures that list the physical, psychological, behavioral, and social effects of each type of violence as well as intervening variables. Next, the paper reviews the influence of culture and ethnicity on the meaning attached to elder abuse and on help-seeking or accepting behavior. The article then proposes a conceptual framework that uses contributing factors (cultural background, individual influences, and cohort influences), modifying factors (the nature of violence, personal circumstances, and relationship with perpetrator), the meaning of violence, and the effects on the survivor to explain the effects of early or late family violence on elderly adult survivors. The discussion notes that the framework focuses on negative effects but that survivors of domestic violence can experience positive effects, such as the development of personal coping skills. The article ends by noting that this proposed framework has clinical implications because it recognizes that the effects of domestic violence on elderly adults may be complicated, it helps practitioners link symptoms to domestic violence, it helps practitioners realize that the meaning of domestic violence may vary among elderly victims, and it shows that family violence occurs in a social context.^ieng

Defining elder mistreatment in four ethnic groups across two generations.

Ethnic and generational variation in elder mistreatment has only recently been explored. This research builds upon pioneer work in the field by examining perceptions of elder mistreatment across four ethnic groups (European-American, African-American, Puerto Rican, and Japanese-American) and two generations (elder and 'baby boom' caregiver). Focus group discussions revealed differences in defining elder mistreatment and responding to it. They also suggested that psychological abuse and neglect may be more important mistreatment forms than previously acknowledged. Policy and practice implications of study results are considered. jg]Key words gw]Elder mistreatment gw]Elder abuse gw]Ethnic groups gw]Generations.