Vulnerable Elder Protection Team: Initial experience of an emergency department-based interdisciplinary elder abuse...

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Emergency departments (EDs) are critical for identifying elder abuse, yet identification rates are low.
• The Vulnerable Elder Protection Team (VEPT) was developed as an interdisciplinary consultation service within an ED to address this gap.
• This study details the initial two years of the VEPT program's operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and impact of an ED-based interdisciplinary team for elder abuse.
• To assess the types of elder abuse identified and interventions provided by the VEPT.
• To understand emergency providers' experiences and perceptions of the VEPT program.

Main Methods:

• The VEPT program was launched in a large, urban, academic ED.
• Data on VEPT activations, patient characteristics, assessments, and interventions were collected over two years.
• Patient outcomes, including changes in living situations, and provider experiences via surveys and focus groups were examined.

Main Results:

• VEPT was activated for 200 patients, with high or moderate suspicion of elder abuse in 62% of cases.
• Common forms of abuse included physical abuse (59%) and neglect (56%).
• Seventy-five percent of patients assessed experienced a change in living situation or received additional home services, enhancing safety.

Conclusions:

• The VEPT program was frequently activated and facilitated significant improvements in patient safety through housing changes and home services.
• Emergency providers reported increased likelihood of assessing for elder abuse and recognized the value of the VEPT.
• The findings support the establishment of similar VEPT programs in other EDs to combat elder abuse.