RESUMO
This article explores the role of abuser substance abuse in 552 cases of substantiated elder abuse in Illinois. When the abuser was identified as having a substance abuse (SA) problem, the type of elder abuse substantiated was more likely to involve either physical or emotional abuse than neglect or financial exploitation. Abusers with SA problems were more frequently men and children of their victims, and less likely to be caregivers. Abuser SA was associated with victim SA. Cases involving abusers with SA problems were more likely to be evaluated by case workers as having a high potential risk for future abuse. Elder abuser case workers should be trained to identify both victim and abuser SA and appropriate intervention strategies.
Assuntos
Cuidadores/psicologia , Bases de Dados Factuais , Abuso de Idosos/estatística & dados numéricos , Família/psicologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Illinois/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Vigilância da População , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologiaRESUMO
In this article we describe the Illinois statewide elder abuse social service program, which is unusual in its comprehensive approach to the assessment and documentation of reported cases of abuse and its extensive data monitoring system. Descriptive information on the number and types of cases of elder abuse reported to the system are presented, along with information on the amount of social work time and administrative effort spent on substantiating abuse reports and providing services. Financial exploitation, emotional abuse, and neglect were the most common types of abuse reported, although emotional abuse was the type most frequently substantiated. The most frequent reasons for case closure were (a) victim entered long-term care, and (b) the workers' assessment that the victim was not at risk for future abuse. A detailed description of the comprehensive assessment and substantiation process is provided.