Behind the Scenes with an Elder Protective Services Care Worker

Elder Protective Services Care Worker Jennie Reed.

For our Behind the Scenes series, we recently talked with Jennie Reed, an Elder Protective Services Care Worker. As part of the nine-member Protective Services department at MVES, Jennie helps elders who are being exploited, abused, or neglected. Working with a variety of other agencies, Jennie strives to transition these elders to a safer environment.

Editor: What are your responsibilities in the Protective Services Team?

J. Reed: My primary responsibility is two-fold. I investigate alleged elder exploitation, abuse, and neglect. During an investigation, I’ll confer with numerous individuals—physicians, a client’s family, police officers, visiting nurses—to determine if an elder is being abused or exploited or is living in an unsafe environment. Once such a situation is identified, I work to resolve the problem with the ultimate goal of ensuring the elder’s safety. The path to this objective can take many turns, but we work hard to provide a solution that is the least restrictive for the client. Interventions may include increasing home care services for the client, moving the client to a new living environment, and recommending support groups for perpetrators. We carefully design a service plan that effectively resolves a problematic situation.

Editor: How do you learn of elders being abused or exploited?

J. Reed: To initiate an investigation, we must have some report of possible abuse, exploitation, or neglect. For example, these reports come from family members, neighbors, or physicians of elders. Some elders call about themselves if they feel they are not being treated appropriately.

Editor: What is a typical day like for you?

J. Reed: There isn’t a typical day. Each day is new. I might handle a new report of abuse. I might make a home visit. I’ll document an investigation with progress notes. I may conduct an emergency home visit—a situation where an elder must be assessed within five hours. As a member of the Protective Services Team, I also am on call every other month for a week’s time. If an emergency case is reported in the MVES service area after hours (by calling the Elder Abuse Hotline at 800-922-2275) a protective worker is paged and responds to the report.

Editor: Twenty-four hour coverage must be difficult. Is that the most challenging aspect of your job?

J. Reed: Actually, the hardest part of the job is when I know an elder needs help but refuses assistance. Competent elders have a right to refuse our help. But it’s tough to watch a vulnerable person remain in an unsafe situation. I can only hope that down the road they will welcome some type of intervention.

Editor: What’s the best part of your job?

J. Reed: I like not knowing what any given day will bring. I enjoy the constant change in my schedule. And, I enjoy the personal aspect of meeting an elder and working with him or her to improve a situation. It’s rewarding.