Goals: describe the main goals of the good practice

Targets of the City Team Elder Abuse:

• Prevention and action against elder abuse aimed at level of seriousness,  extent and frequency.
• Organizing the case work (Advice, consultation, collective house visits and crisis intervention)
• Enhancing existing expertise on elder abuse (Building and spreading knowledge, professional training, workshops)

Target Group: describe the target group of the good practice (for instance, older people themselves, care providers, family etc.)

Elderly citizens (65 and older)

Approach: describe the implementation method of the good practice.

The Action plan in Rotterdam starts with careful and early identification by the environment and professionals. One of the policy instruments is the launch of a public campaign to end the taboo around elder abuse as well as introduce the Domestic violence agencies (ASHG) to a larger public. Professionals in health care, care for the elderly, police, care (like professional Home care) are trained to recognise all forms of elder abuse and familiarized with the ASHG reporting procedures. 

Tackling domestic violence (including elder abuse) is a complicated matter. On December 10, 2007, a Reporting code was implemented in Rotterdam. The Reporting code serves to stimulate earlier recognition and reporting of elder abuse, as well as child abuse and partner or sexual violence and honour related violence. Intended aim of the reporting code is an early awareness of signals and the neutralizing of barriers. Central are three important themes:

1. Identification:How can care professionals recognize domestic violence (and elder abuse) at an earlier stage and react faster? What would it take to accomplish this?
2. Implementation:What are the necessary conditions to succesfully implement the Rotterdam Reporting Code
3. Collaboration:Ideally, all actions against elder abuse depart from the same vision. Is it possible to establish this through intensive collaborations? Are there any other useful activities to contribute to a shared vision?

City Team Elder Abuse has the following action protocol: the overall directions and management of the City Team Elder Abuse are executed by the Municipal Health Service (GGD). If a complex case of elder abuse is reported to the support centre (ASHG), the chairperson (GGD)  consults with the City Team Elder Abuse. The team decides on a plan of action. The participating parties are all responsible for the execution of their respective assignments. The case proces is evaluated, especially if the care is not leading to the intended outcome or if the participating organizations are not communicating effectively. If it appears that the case cannot be solved locally and/or the violence continues, the chairperson is responsible for investigating alternative solutions/ professional carers.   

Who implements this good practice? Mention, if relevant, the organisation or persons who do the work.

The overall direction of a case of elder abuse lies with the chairperson of the City Team Elder Abuse (STO). The chairperson is employed by  GGD Rotterdam Rijnmond and closely collaborates with local partners Lokale Zorg Netwerken (Local care Networks) of the municipalities that are in the GGD (Rotterdam Rijnmond) district. Other parties,  (Elder care, Social-psychiatric service GGD, police, Mental Health care for the elderly, Nursing & Care).

What material is available on this good practice (description, website etc.)

Download a description of the protocol and plan of action here:

 www.huiselijkgeweld.rotterdam.nlor: www.ggd.rotterdam.nl

Reporting protocol: www.huiselijkgeweld.rotterdam.nlor: www.ggd.rotterdam.nl

Reporting Code domestic violence and child abuse Rotterdam (including elder abuse): www.huiselijkgeweld.rotterdam.nlor: www.ggd.rotterdam.nl

How widely is this good practice used in your country?

In the 19 municipalities of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region.

What are the results, outcomes, experiences with this good practice? Please mention the source(s).

Results:

• More victims (and offenders) were reached, 100 cases per year
• 100% of all reported cases are treated. 
• Consolidation City Team Elder Abuse (STO) in the domestic violence chain and Lokaal Zorgnetwerk (local Care Network)
• development and elder abuse method structure (assessment and qualification tool)
  • advice and support of professionals by STO
  • multidisciplinary use of STO with regard to case management 
  • elder abuse
  • professionals from the field of eldercare have adequate expertise and skills in the field of elder abuse. 

Are there effect studies? Please mention the source(s) if the answer is ‘yes’.

No, there are no published evaluations or effect studies

What are the success factors?

• One specialized City Team Elder Abuse (joining forces)
• The implementation of the reporting code domestic violence Rotterdam (one clear action protocol for all professionals, including identification and starting a dialogue on domestic violence and elder abuse.
• Using the existing structure, i.e. The network of relevant chain partners (13 Local care teams domestic violence and 40 local care networks).
• Training on identification and use of reporting code  
• Considering and reacting on the law on temporary restraining order
• Public campaign