Aging, Domestic Abuse, Elder Abuse, Self Neglect
Conditions
Brief summary
The project is to build multi-sector and multi-institutional partnerships to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a pilot surveillance camera intervention (N=10) to reduce the frequency and severity of abuse, exploitation, and neglect in community older adults.
Detailed description
This a feasibility investigation that aims to conduct an 8-week pilot RCT (N=10 total) to test the potential effectiveness of a surveillance intervention to reduce frequency and severity of elder abuse among older populations. Eligible participants will be recruited from community-dwelling populations in which an older adult victim has experienced elder abuse (abuse, exploitation, neglect) according to New Jersey APS referrals or our screening. With informed written consent, participants will be evenly randomized into one of three conditions: camera, mock camera, and control (usual care). Primary outcomes are elder abuse cases including psychological, physical, sexual abuse, financial exploitations, caregiver neglect, and self-neglect measured by 83 items. For psychological and physical abuse, we use eight items and ten items from a modified Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS).46-53. Sexual abuse will be assessed by a question asking about experiences of being touched in private areas when unwanted. Financial exploitation will be assessed by the 17-item Financial Exploitation Scale, adapted from Conrad et al in a study funded by the Department of Justice.54 Caregiver neglect will be assessed by 20 items of unmet needs in key activities of daily living among individuals living with at least one person.35,55 Self-neglect was assessed by a widely used and validated measurement56,57.The measurement was reviewed by a community advisory board of over 20 community organizations led by a geriatrician and has shown good contend, convergent58, and predictive validity59.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSurveillance camera(s)
the mock camera intervention is for testing whether the impression of surveillance would have the effect to reduce the recidivism of elder abuse in home settings; 2) whether less costly options (mock cameras) are as effective as surveillance camera(s) in reducing the recidivism of elder abuse; 3) feasibility and acceptability of surveillance camera(s)
Sponsors
Rutgers University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Comparing two different intervention strategies, participants and research assistants will be masked about the assignment during the 8-week participation. In the camera and mock camera group, participants will not be told which group they are a part of. In either the camera or mock camera group, research assistants (RAs) administering consent will also not be told which group the participant is a part of to avoid accidental reveal of groups. Groups will be revealed at the end of the study participation.
Intervention model description
Three groups of people receive different interventions and usual care.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Aged 60 or older; 2. Community-living; 3. Individuals identified by New Jersey APS as potentially at risk of elder abuse; OR Individuals who have experienced abuse, exploitation, or neglect within the last 3 months (assessed by any present or yes response to elder abuse questions on the screener).
Exclusion criteria
1. Live in institutional and/or residential facilities; 2. Have plans to move for the next 3 months; 3. Unable to understand and provide written consent. Capacity to consent will be determined by a score of at least 24 on the Mini-mental state examination; 4. Have impairment in eating, dressing, bathing, walking, transferring, grooming, bladder control, or toileting. These will be determined by any present or positive item on the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| elder abuse prevalence | Baseline | Psychological, physical, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, caregiver neglect, and self-neglect. For psychological and physical abuse, we will use 8 items and 10 items from a modified Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS). Sexual abuse will be assessed by a question asking about experiences of being touched in private areas when unwanted. Financial exploitation will be assessed by the 17-item Financial Exploitation Scale, adapted from Conrad et al in a study funded by the Department of Justice. Caregiver neglect will be assessed by 20 items of unmet needs in key activities of daily living. Self-neglect will be assessed by a validated 25-item measurement. Items will be combined to report whether any vs no abuse/neglect/exploitation was experienced. In addition, multiple definitions of severity can be determined by combining these instruments and using various cut off points to determine severity. |
| elder abuse incidence | First week of participation | Psychological, physical, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, caregiver neglect, and self-neglect. For psychological and physical abuse, we will use 8 items and 10 items from a modified Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS). Sexual abuse will be assessed by a question asking about experiences of being touched in private areas when unwanted. Financial exploitation will be assessed by the 17-item Financial Exploitation Scale, adapted from Conrad et al in a study funded by the Department of Justice. Caregiver neglect will be assessed by 20 items of unmet needs in key activities of daily living. Self-neglect will be assessed by a validated 25-item measurement. Items will be combined to report whether any vs no abuse/neglect/exploitation was experienced. In addition, multiple definitions of severity can be determined by combining these instruments and using various cut off points to determine severity. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed