The critical role of the specialized social worker as part of ED/hospital-based elder mistreatment response teams

• Published in: Journal of elder abuse & neglect Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 384 - 394
• Main Authors: Elman, Alyssa, Cox, Sarah, Gottesman, Elaine, Herman, Seth, Kirshner, Avery, Tietz, Sarah, Shaw, Amy, Hancock, David, Chang, E-Shien, Baek, Daniel, Bloemen, Elizabeth, Clark, Sunday, Rosen, Tony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 07-08-2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult abuse & neglect; Caregivers; Decision making; Elder mistreatment; Emergency services; Legal system; multi-disciplinary team; Patients; Quality of life; Social work; Social workers; Teams; Elder mistreatment; social work; multi-disciplinary team
• ISSN: 0894-6566; 1540-4129; 1540-4129
• DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2023.2255742

The emergency department and hospital provide a unique and important opportunity to identify elder mistreatment and offer intervention. To help manage these complex cases, multi-disciplinary response teams have been launched. In developing these teams, it quickly became clear that social workers play a critical role in responding to elder mistreatment. Their unique skillset allows them to establish close connections with community resources, collaborate with various hospital stakeholders, support patients/families/caregivers through challenging situations, navigate the legal and protective systems, and balance patient safety and quality of life in disposition decision-making. The role of the social worker on these multi-faceted teams includes conducting a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, helping to develop a safe discharge plan, and making appropriate referrals, among other responsibilities. Any institution considering developing a multi-disciplinary program should recognize the critical importance of social work.