Dependent Adult Abuse Trends in Iowa, 1984 to 2023

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gerontology
• Social Work

Background:

• Dependent adult abuse (DAA) is a growing concern with limited data on incidence trends.
• Understanding DAA trends is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the annual incidence of DAA in Iowa from 1984 to 2023.
• To analyze trends in DAA rates and their associations with various societal factors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports, investigations, and substantiations from 1984 to 2023.
• Exploration of associations between DAA rates and calendar year, number of caseworkers, abuse laws, political party, and unemployment.

Main Results:

• Investigated DAA cases rose from 50 to 182 per 100,000 adults; substantiated cases increased from 17 to 38 per 100,000 adults (1984-2023).
• Increasing calendar year and Democratic party majority in the Iowa legislature were positively associated with higher investigated and substantiated abuse rates.
• An inverse correlation was found between the proportion of reports investigated and the proportion of investigations substantiated (Spearman's rho = -0.81, P < .01).

Conclusions:

• Investigated and substantiated cases of DAA in Iowa have steadily increased over the 40-year study period.
• The findings underscore the escalating challenge of dependent adult abuse and the need for continued monitoring and policy development.