NCJ Number
137050
Date Published
1991
Length
202 pages
Annotation
The implementation and impact of four multidisciplinary teams in providing community based care to victims of elder abuse were examined with emphasis on determining whether voluntary teams were more committed to their involvement than were paid teams.
Abstract
The four teams included two rural teams and two urban teams composed of professionals from medicine, mental health, finance, clergy, law enforcement, and the law. One rural team and one urban team paid members for their attendance at team meetings. Study data came from team members, persons declining team membership, team meeting operations, case data, and case workers from the coordinating agencies. Results revealed that implementation was similar in urban and rural sites. No differences were found in the levels of attendance, turnover, commitment, or satisfaction among paid and volunteer teams. In addition, workers who used multidisciplinary teams and those who did not were similar with respect to burnout. Results did not support the research hypotheses, but they provided formative data about team implementation and led to the development of job descriptions, policies, procedures, and training materials. Because of the impact of the teams on supporting the coordinating agencies, Illinois has decided to require teams for all agencies providing services to abused elders and having service populations greater than 7,200. Figures, tables, and appended forms and handbooks