Elder Protective Services in Berkshire County

Elder Protective Services in Berkshire County: An Interview

by Janis Merrell

Dean Lagrotteria, LifePath’s Protective Services Regional Director, answers some questions about his role and how Protective Services works in the Berkshires.

What is Elder Protective Services?

Berkshire Elder Protective Services, a program of LifePath, investigates concerns regarding physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; financial exploitation; neglect; and self-neglect. The purpose of Elder Protective Services is to alleviate or eliminate the effects of abuse of older adults in the least restrictive way while respecting everyone’s right to make their own decisions. Staff work closely with Elder Services of Berkshire County and other community agencies who provide support for older adults and their caregivers.

How does the Elder Protective Services process work?

The program receives reports of concern from family, friends, police, fire, EMTs, hospitals, and others. When someone has a concern that an older adult’s needs are not being addressed, that an older adult is not addressing their own needs and there is potential for serious harm, or that an older adult is being abused or exploited, a report can be filed with the Central Intake Unit. This statewide unit refers reports to the appropriate local Elder Protective Services program.

When a report is assigned to a worker, the worker’s fi rst step is to speak to the older adult to see what the older adult says about the concern, talk with the older adult about their feelings about it, and assess their overall safety. Once the in-person interview occurs, the worker will go about gathering additional information by speaking to people who may know about the older adult’s situation and by reviewing any records that may be pertinent to the concern.

Oftentimes, when a report is filed, older adults are worried they have done something wrong or a family member will get into trouble. First, the report is not against the older adult but on behalf of the older adult. Second, our primary goal is to restore health and safety, not punish those involved. There are times, however, when abuse, neglect, or exploitation causes significant harm to a person and may be a crime. In those instances we refer to the local District Attorney for further investigation, all the while working with the person to establish a safe home, free from abuse.

We will work with the older adult to develop a plan to address concerns, such as arranging for a Bill Pay volunteer, who can help protect against financial exploitation, or Meals on Wheels, to help ensure the person has healthy food. The older adult gets to decide what happens and how their situation will be addressed. They can also decide to do nothing and we in Elder Protective Services will respect their wishes and their right to make that decision.

How does Elder Protective Services respect an older adult’s wishes and their right to make their own decisions?

We seek to understand the root causes of risk and hope to assist older adults in alleviating that risk. However, people have a right to make their own decisions even when family, friends or Elder Protective Services believe a different decision could be made. Just because a person turns 60 doesn’t mean they have less rights than everyone else. We do not and cannot substitute our decisions or choices for that of the older adult’s. We have a mandate to provide protection, but we also are required to respect an older adult’s right to choose. If an older adult does not wish to work with Elder Protective Services or chooses to address the issue on their own and in their own way, Elder Protective Services cannot interfere.

How long have you worked in the fi eld and what led you to this role?

I have worked in the fi eld for over 10 years, having started out as a Protective Services Worker. I was inspired to this work after addressing concerns for my own grandparents who did not have the skills or resources necessary to keep themselves safe at home. When I learned that there was a program that could have helped them, I wanted to be part of it.

Why do you feel this work is important?

Abuse of people over 60 is a serious concern. Often our clients are vulnerable, with no one to advocate for them, and can be at the mercy of those who will do them harm either through intention or lack of knowledge of an older person’s needs. Also, the rights of older adults are sometimes overlooked when others try to help. The wishes and choices of an older person are as important to Elder Protective Services as alleviating abuse.

How prevalent is older adult abuse?

One in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of older adult abuse. Some estimates range as high as five million older adults who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 24 cases of abuse are reported to authorities. Annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion. In our service area we received 1,237 reports from July 1, 2020-May 25, 2021.

How has COVID-19 changed the ability of older adults and loved ones to reach out?

COVID-19 drastically reduced the number of reports that were fi led. Older adults were not being seen by family, friends, doctors, visiting nurse associations, or other providers and therefore concerns were being reported and addressed less. Also, some older adults chose to go without needed support and services due to concerns about COVID-19. I worried during that time that due to a lack of contact with others, the older adults had no one to help and no one who knew that they were alone and in need. Even when we did receive reports, older adults and families were reluctant to engage with Elder Protective Services and any subsequent recommended services, due to fear of COVID-19. As people re-engage with their friends, family, and neighbors after this time of social isolation, we ask that anyone with a concern about an older adult reach out to us.

What would you like to tell readers who may know of an older adult at risk but are hesitant to call?

Making that call can cause one to feel anxious about “getting someone in trouble” or that you are “reporting on the older adult.” Getting an outside agency involved in what seems like a “personal” or “family matter” may be worrisome. Most abuse or neglect is committed by those closest to an older adult, namely family and friends, and can happen for many reasons. Our goal is to identify the causes and work with the older adult, caregivers, and family to help make the situation better. Elder Protective Services cannot intervene without the consent of the older adult, and it is not about assigning blame. Filing a report could be the key to unlocking the help and services someone needs quickly. When in doubt, give us a call and we can help you decide what to do.

Can reports be anonymous? What about when a family member feels their family will know it was them who made the report?

All reports are confidential. Your name will not be given to the older adult, family, or others. There are limited situations where your name would be given to a local DA for further investigation in criminal matters. You can still file a report anonymously if you are not comfortable with providing your name. If, however, you feel comfortable letting the older adult know you are fi ling a report on their behalf, please do so. When we visit an older adult for the first time, they usually ask who reported. As I have said, we cannot share that information. Sometimes that will become a barrier to the older adult accepting help from Elder Protective Services.

If you are concerned about an older adult, please call the 24/7 Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-9222275.

ELDER SERVICES

Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , October-November 2021

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