Role of first responders in detecting and evaluating elders at risk

Delay in recognition of elder abuse and neglect may be especially problematic for the elder residing in relative isolation. Police and fire personnel may have a unique opportunity to identify vulnerable elders as they interact with them in the community. The present study was designed to evaluate first responders in northern Illinois to determine their approach to vulnerable elders they encounter in the course of their work. A survey instrument was completed by the first responder, immediately preceding an educational intervention conducted at the work location of the first responder. Most first responders had no standard approach for screening vulnerable elders. First responders already detect many elders who pose a risk to themselves or others, but such detection efforts are typically unstructured. A particular area where a more structured approach might be of value is in screening for risk related to firearms.