Adult Protective Services Workers Assess the Effectiveness of Mandatory Reporting of Elder Maltreatment in Michigan

Abstract

Mandatory reporting is the method by which most states deal with the problem of elder abuse. However, the effectiveness of this approach has been the topic of little research. In this study, we report on a series of qualitative interviews with workers involved in the mandatory reporting process in the State of Michigan. The workers were involved either as mandated reporters or as representatives of the state who receive the reports (Adult Protective Services workers). Numerous problems were identified, including inadequate staffing in the state agency responsible for receiving reports of elderly abuse, lack of a standardized mechanism for submitting reports, poor training in a variety of areas for both reporters and APS workers, inadequate communication and coordination among agencies involved in the process, confidentiality concerns at all levels, inability of agencies to identify persons responsible for previous abuse of the elderly, and lack of involvement of knowledgeable workers in the establishment and administration of the law. Workers were also concerned that the needs of the elderly received little attention from officials at all levels (courts, prosecutors, and state government), most of whom were perceived to consider the needs of the children to be primary. On the positive side, workers in both types of agencies appeared highly committed to their clients and went considerably out of their way to be of assistance.