1. Interviewing Elders
Chapter 8

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 domestic abuse
The majority of crimes against elders is domestic abuse
Perpetrated by family or caregivers
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 Perpetrated by family or caregivers
Uncharacteristic bank activity
Suspicious activity on credit card use
Frequent or unauthorized use of ATM card
An un-witnessed will has been drawn up

5. Questioning the Older Person
Pre-Interview
Assessment through conversation-observing evaluation
The purpose of the assessment is to establish if any vulnerability or impairment exists that might affect the interview

6. 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

7. Determine in an 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 devises such as a hearing aid or eye glasses
If the elder is physically self-sufficient
If the elder is financially self-sufficient

8. Steps of the Elder Interview
Prepare for the Interview
Establish Rapport
Conduct the Interview
End the Interview
Follow Up
Choose quiet location
Show respect
Avoid suggesting responses
Address objections involving family members
Make referrals when needed

9. The Elder as a Witness
The vast majority of elder witnesses are capable of giving accurate and reliable information regarding victimization
Do not assume that the elder suffers from dementia or senility

10. Physical Limitations Visual & Hearing Loss
Normal sensatory changes due to aging include visual and hearing loss
Is there abnormal sensatory performance?
Do they need glasses or hearing aid?
Speak face to face
Do not smoke, chew gum, or cover your mouth
Do not speak too quickly
Establish eye contact

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

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

17. Interdisciplinary Interviewing
Multi-disciplinary teams represent an example of current approaches to the crimes affecting seniors
Investigations should be coordinated with adult protective services or the ombudsman whenever possible to establish cooperative models of intervention

18. 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
The majority of reports concerning elder abuse are made to adult protective services rather than the police

19. 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 against the elderly 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