Implementing a Financial Decision-Making Scale in APS Financial Exploitation Investigations: Use of the PARIHS...

Area of Science:

• Implementation science
• Gerontology
• Public health

Background:

• Adult protective services (APS) agencies investigate financial exploitation, requiring assessment of decision-making capacity.
• The Financial Decision Tracker (FDT) is a 10-item screening tool for financial decision-making abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implementation of the FDT by APS workers over 34 months, including pre-COVID-19, during restrictions, and post-restrictions.
• To assess factors influencing FDT implementation using the Promoting Action in Research Implementation in the Health Services (PARIHS) framework.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the PARIHS framework to examine context, facilitation, and evidence of FDT implementation.
• Conducted individual and group interviews to assess implementation factors.
• Measured FDT scale usage, types of decisions investigated, and alignment with APS worker ratings.

Main Results:

• FDT implementation was sustained over 34 months, despite a 58% usage drop during COVID-19 restrictions.
• A total of 839 FDT scales were administered.
• Individuals without decision-making deficits were older and more likely to have completed high school.

Conclusions:

• The FDT implementation trial was successful, becoming an established best practices tool for APS agencies.
• The FDT's effectiveness in assessing decision-making abilities is recognized and will be audited.