An evaluation of a client-centered case management program for elder abuse

Short-term outcomes of a case management program for competent, community-d welling abused elderly persons were assessed. The intervention provided by Case Managers consisted of five components: (a) helping the client set long and short-term goals, (b) providing information about services and legal r ights, (c) explaining and discussing options to decrease abuse, (d) support ing the client in deciding to take action or not, and (e) involving others in the plan of care. Retrospective data were collected from 26 client recor ds. Intervention outcomes were assessed by determining the number of cases in which abuse was eliminated or decreased at case closure and the reasons for case closure. In 34.6% of the cases, abuse was completely eliminated, w hile in 30.8% of cases there was some improvement in the situation.