Decision-Making and Adult Protective Services Workers: Identifying Critical Factors

The decision-making process of Adult Protective Service (APS) workers is under-explored in the field of elder abuse. Yet, it is critical in assuring the protection of elders from physical abuse. This article identifies 10 major critical factors used by APS workers in New Hampshire when intervening in substantiated cases of elder physical abuse. The qualitative methodological framework utilized a literature review, two focus groups, 15 individual face-to-face interviews, and a modified Delphi method of analysis. The findings identify the strengths and flaws in the decisional process and suggest considerations for further study.