Community Elder Mistreatment Intervention With Capable Older Adults: Toward a Conceptual Practice Model

Community-based elder mistreatment response programs (EMRP), such as adult protective services, that are responsible for directly addressing elder abuse and neglect are under increasing pressure with greater reporting/referrals nationwide. Our knowledge and understanding of effective response interventions represents a major gap in the EM literature. At the center of this gap is a lack of theory or conceptual models to help guide EMRP research and practice. This article develops a conceptual practice model for community-based EMRPs that work directly with cognitively intact EM victims. Anchored by core EMRP values of voluntariness, self-determination, and least restrictive path, the practice model is guided by an overarching postmodern, constructivist, eco-systemic practice paradigm that accepts multiple, individually constructed mistreatment realities and solutions. Harm-reduction, client-centered, and multidisciplinary practice models are described toward a common EMRP goal to reduce the risk of continued mistreatment. Finally, the model focuses on client-practitioner relationship-oriented practice skills such as engagement and therapeutic alliance to elicit individual mistreatment realities and client-centered solutions. The practice model helps fill a conceptual gap in the EM intervention literature and carries implications for EMRP training, research, and practice.