1. Interviewing the Elderly
Chapter 8
8-1

2. Demographics of the Elder Population
America is no longer dominated by the youth
In 1983, the elderly population surpassed the number of teenagers
By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be elderly
Elderly is defined as being aged 65 and older

3. Crimes Against the Elderly
The majority of violence against elders is domestic abuse
Self-neglect
Abandonment
Active neglect
Passive neglect
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse

4. Fiduciary Abuse Financial exploitation or economic abuse of elders
Committed by strangers
Perpetrated by family or caregivers

5. Indicators of Fiduciary Abuse
Uncharacteristic bank activity
Suspicious activity on credit card
Frequent or unauthorized use of ATM card
An un-witnessed will has been drawn up

6. Elder Assessment
The purpose of the assessment is to establish if any vulnerability or impairment exists that might affect the interview

7. Elder Assessment:
If the elder has difficulty in answering simple questions
If the elder has difficulty seeing or hearing
If he or she needs ancillary devices such as a hearing aid or eyeglasses
If the elder is physically self-sufficient
If the elder is financially self-sufficient

8. Questioning the Older Person
Pre-Interview
Assessment through conversation-observing evaluation

9. Conversation-observing Evaluation
Be open-minded
Speak with the elder at a place where they are comfortable, typically their own home
This is a “friendly visit” for the purpose of observing
Sit face to face with the elder
Do not take notes without permission
Introduce yourself and generally state your purpose
Ask the person for their full name
Refer to the elder by his or her title

10. Conducting the Interview
Prepare for the interview
Establish rapport
Conduct the interview
End the interview
Follow up

11. Step 1:
Prepare for the interview
Choose quiet location

12. Step 2:
Establish rapport
Show respect

13. Step 3:
Conduct the interview
Avoid suggesting responses

14. Step 4:
End the interview
Address objections involving family members

15. Step 5:
Follow-up
Make referrals when needed

16. The Elder as a Witness
Do not assume that the elder suffers from dementia or senility
Is there alcohol or drug overuse?
Is there abnormal sensatory performance?
Do they need glasses or hearing aid?

17. The Elder as a Witness Speak face to face
Do not smoke, chew gum, or cover your mouth
Do not speak too quickly
Establish eye contact

18. Cognitive Limitations
No evidence of an age-related vulnerability to misinformation; contamination is a problem in all age groups.
Memory jogging techniques may enhance the recall for elder victims.
Patience may be needed to allow the elder the time she or he needs to answer a question.

19. Source Confusion
Elders are more susceptible to source confusion than younger adults
Elders are also likely to act more confident regardless of their source misinformation

20. What is Source Confusion?
It is difficulty in distinguishing what they have witnessed themselves as opposed to what they may have heard from someone else.
Or a problem identifying the exact source of the information

21. Recall
There is a significant difference in free recall between young adults (age 21) and elders (age 70)
Older adult witnesses provide fewer descriptions of the perpetrator (physical, clothing, etc.)

22. Face Recognition by Elder Witnesses
Older adults (60 – 80) are more likely to “false alarm” to new faces. In other words they are more likely to falsely recognize a face they had not seen previously
In the eyewitness identification setting, they are more prone to making false choices

23. Concerns Due to Dependence
A common risk factor exists when the caretaker is financially dependent on the elder

24. Types of Dependence Care provided with or without contract
Does it appear that the caregiver has been reluctant to supply the elder with eyeglasses, dental care, medications, or other needed services?
Is the elder incontinent with bedsores?
One who has accepted personal gifts from the elder

25. Interdisciplinary Interviewing
The majority of reports concerning elder abuse are made to adult protective services rather than the police
Multi-disciplinary teams represent an example of current approaches to the crimes affecting seniors

26. Mandatory Elder Abuse Reporting
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and some U.S. territories require professionals to report suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly

27. Crime Perpetrated by Elders
As people get older they commit less crime. This is referred to as aging out
Approximately one-third of domestic abusers are persons aged 60 and above
In domestic violence among older married couples the woman is as likely as the man to be the abuser