Community Elder Mistreatment Intervention With Capable Older Adults: Toward a Conceptual Practice Model

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Work
• Public Health

Background:

• Community-based elder mistreatment response programs (EMRPs) face increasing demands.
• A significant gap exists in understanding effective EMRP interventions.
• Lack of theoretical models hinders EMRP research and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conceptual practice model for community-based EMRPs.
• To guide EMRPs working with cognitively intact elder mistreatment victims.
• To address the gap in intervention theory for elder mistreatment.

Main Methods:

• Developed a conceptual practice model for EMRPs.
• Anchored the model in EMRP values: voluntariness, self-determination, least restrictive path.
• Guided by a postmodern, constructivist, eco-systemic practice paradigm.
• Incorporated harm-reduction, client-centered, and multidisciplinary approaches.
• Focused on client-practitioner relationship skills like engagement and therapeutic alliance.

Main Results:

• The proposed model offers a theoretical framework for EMRP practice.
• It emphasizes understanding multiple mistreatment realities and client-centered solutions.
• The model aims to reduce the risk of continued elder mistreatment.
• Client-practitioner relationship skills are central to eliciting client realities and solutions.

Conclusions:

• The conceptual practice model fills a theoretical gap in elder mistreatment intervention literature.
• The model has implications for EMRP training, research, and practice.
• It provides a framework for enhancing the effectiveness of community-based elder mistreatment response programs.