Prevalence of elder mistreatment as reported by social workers in a probability sample of adult day health care clients

There are growing numbers of Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) programs providin g needed health services to community-dwelling elderly. Therefore, ADHC sta ff are in an opportune position to identify and to intervene in suspected e lder mistreatment (EM) cases. In this paper, prevalence estimates of EM are reported for a probability sample of ADHC clients in New York State, using data provided during a social worker informant interview. The abuse "signs and symptoms" items in the social worker informant interview schedule were divided into two categories: (1) physical indicators and (2) client's beha vioral indicators. Physical indicators included unexplained bruises and wel ts, unexplained burns, unexplained lacerations or abrasions, human bite mar ks, and frequent injuries that are "accidental" or "unexplained." Client's behavioral indicators included apprehension, being frightened, and afraid t o go home. EM prevalence for all 8 items was 12.3 percent. When "apprehensi ve" was excluded, the EM prevalence was 3.6 percent in this sample. These f indings suggest that ADHC provides a point of contact for the assessment an d intervention of EM that might otherwise be overlooked among elders who ar e often isolated or homebound.