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APS workers job requirements associated with elder abuse rates
Jeanette M Daly1, Gerald J Jogerst, Kellie M Haigh
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. jeanette-daly@uiowa.edu
Social Work in Health Care
|April 20, 2005
Summary
States requiring social work degrees for Adult Protective Services (APS) workers showed higher elder abuse investigation rates. However, these states also had lower elder abuse substantiation ratios, suggesting a focus on intervention over criminal aspects.
Area of Science:
- Social Work
- Gerontology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Adult Protective Services (APS) are crucial for addressing elder abuse.
- The educational background of APS workers may influence case outcomes.
- Understanding this relationship is vital for improving elder protection services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between the educational requirements for APS workers and domestic elder abuse rates in 1999.
- To determine if specific educational backgrounds impact elder abuse investigation and substantiation rates.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from APS statutes, regulations, and the National Center for Elder Abuse list serve.
- Analysis involved descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests.
- Comparison of elder abuse investigation and substantiation rates based on state-mandated educational qualifications for APS caseworkers.
Main Results:
- States mandating a social work degree for APS caseworkers exhibited higher elder abuse investigation rates.
- A lower elder abuse substantiation ratio was observed in states requiring a social work degree or license.
- Findings indicate a potential shift in focus towards investigation and intervention rather than criminal prosecution.
Conclusions:
- Social work education for APS workers may influence the approach to elder abuse cases.
- This suggests that educational background impacts the emphasis on intervention versus criminalization in elder abuse evaluations.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of social work education's role in APS.