Analysis of elder abuse and Ohio's adult protective law in Trumbull County /

Abstract

The statistics of elder abuse in Trumbull County, Ohio were collected under Adult Protective Law. Data were gathered from the 1998 Adult Protective Services yearly summary of cases reported in Trumbull County. The instrument of data collection was the combination of the four quarterly reports done by the three Adult Protective Service workers for the years 1993 to 1998. The quarterly reports list number of reports received, investigations conducted, evaluations made, court petitions filed, total caseload, age of SUbject, SUbjects' living arrangements, type of abuse experienced, perpetrators' age and relationship to the victim. Resulting data was summarized, then categorized by type of abuse and by whom. Also, statewide statistics were collected, along with population growths and projections. These findings were compared to statewide statistics, future trends, and case studies. Information pertaining to APS law, definitions of abuse, philosophy, intents, and the impetus of the APS law, operational decisions by the APS worker, literature review on elder abuse, signs and triggers of abuse, breakdowns of state statistics, case studies, future predictions, and future trends are presented. Definitions, law, victims, case studies, trends, studies, and statistics, and calculated facts are discussed. statewide statistics from different years are cited to show a growing progression in this field. Per this research, the findings show an increase of elderly population and predict that elderly abuse will also increase over the years. Population increases are projected to increase tremendously in the future. Elder abuse is happening and it is a crime. The reality is elder abuse exists in our society. More research and information on elder abuse are being conducted and collected. More individuals are being made aware of this social problem. Elder rights' are important in this sUbject area. Due process, participation in decision making, alternative solutions, least restrictive alternatives of care, and to remain in the community as long as possible, these are all requirements of APS Law. Society must remember this. Elder abuse happens not from one single cause. A combination of mUltiples factors contribute to its development. It is estimated that only one of five cases of elder abuse is actually reported. This indicates the magnitude of the problem of elder abuse and family violence. Elder abuse is the most recently recognized aspect of family violence. Elder abuse transcends all backgrounds and cultures. This research has two phases. In the first phase of the study, case studies are presented. These studies help to illustrate what abuse is and how it is defined. In the second phase of the research, the above statistics are presented and discussed. Some of the findings indicate that in 1986, estimates of reports were 117,000. There were 211,000 reported cases of elder abuse in 1990, and 241,000 in 1994. The elder population has been projected to nearly doubling in rate from 1970 through 2000. statistics show that the person most likely to be victimized as white, female, between 70-89 years of age, widowed, and living alone. But, every elder person has the possibility of being victimized. In 1987 in Trumbull County, there were 145 reports to the APS unit. In 1992, there were 223 reports. In 1993, there were 247 reports. In 1998, there were 250 reports. Since 1987, the reports to the Trumbull County APS unit have almost doubled to the year 1998. comparing the increase of reported cases over the past eleven years with the population increase projections in Trumbull County, there appears to be a mounting problem facing the County and the APS unit. Overall, Trumbull County elder abuse cases are growing, as are the nations' cases. Elder populations are growing, and elder abuse is becoming more well-known as to signs, triggers, and facts. Abuse is seen to be on the rise, especially over the years. Preventative programs are on the rise, as are enacted laws to protect the elderly. As with past history, the contents of this thesis will show a growth in elder abuse, case studies, and future problems and projections.