Adult Protective Services and Reporter Communication: Recommendations for Improving Practice

When reporters of elder mistreatment do not see the tangible outcomes they expect, they may conclude that Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers took little to no action to address their concerns. Feedback from APS to reporters on the reports they make can help to dispel these types of misconceptions and build trust. However, APS faces several barriers to providing feedback to reporters. This report identifies strategies to improve elder mistreatment reporting while still honoring client privacy and confidentiality. Informed by a two-year research project, this report and its set of recommendations provide a framework for APS and reporters to work more collaboratively to improve the lives of older adults.