Agency Needs Assessment Survey

Survey on Abuse in Later Life: Professionals and Service Providers

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey regarding the End Abuse in Later Life Project. Our community has received funding from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to create or enhance services for older victims of abuse. In order to gather the kinds of information that will help us plan activities and services that better respond to the needs of victims of abuse in later life, we are asking older adults and service providers throughout our community to share their experiences. Your ideas are important to us.

Individuals who are age 50 and older may be hit, yelled at or sexually assaulted. They may be neglected or have had money or possessions stolen. Older victims are most generally harmed by someone they know; often someone they love or trust, such as a spouse, partner, adult child or other family member or a caregiver. You may know an older adult who has been or is being harmed. You may want to talk to someone after taking this survey. Contact project staff for support and information about local resources.

This provider survey is designed to gather information in three areas:

1. Your organization’s perspectives about helpful services for older adults (age 50 and over) who may be experiencing some form of abuse

2. Your organization’s experience with issues of abuse in later life

3. Background information about your organization

Section A: Services/Opportunities That Might Help Older Individuals

Question Title

* 1. Please check the top three (3) services you think would be helpful for older individuals who are being hurt by a spouse, partner, adult child or family member or caregiver.

Advocate or Case Manager (a professional to work with older victims to create a plan about what to do next)

Affordable civil legal help to stop the abuse (such as help getting a restraining order or changing a power of attorney)

Assistance with balancing checkbooks, managing finances and creating personal budgets

Counseling for older victims

Help for older victims taking care of the house or apartment

Helpline that is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week you can call for information and support

Legal advocacy (someone to help if older victims needs to go to court)

Money for rent or moving expenses, food, prescriptions if medication and medical supplies if they are not available due to interference from the abuser

Options for pets (such as foster care or shelter for pets while older victims are staying at a shelter)

Protective or restraining orders (legal orders to keep an abuser away)

Personal advocacy (someone to talk to about the abuse and to provide emotional support)

Safe shelter (safe emergency housing for someone who is in danger)

Support groups (a small group of older survivors of abuse who meet regularly to talk to each other and support each other)

Transitional housing (temporary housing from 12 – 24 months for older victims who need a place to stay while they take next steps)

Transportation to medical appointments, victim services and court

All the Above

Please use the space below to describe other victim services you think would be helpful:

Question Title

* 2. Where do you think would be a good place to hold services for older victims? (Check all that apply.)

Area Agency on Aging

Church, synagogue or other faith community building

Domestic abuse victim service program

Health care center

Housing complex for older adults

Library

Senior center

Sexual abuse victim service program

All the Above

Please use the space below to suggest other locations:

Question Title

* 3. What hours should services be available? (Check all that apply)

Mornings

Afternoons

Evenings

Weekdays

Weekends

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Question Title

* 4. What information could be helpful for older victims? (Check all that apply)

Childcare information (how to provide care for own children, grandchildren or great grandchildren living in the home where an older adult is being harmed)

Criminal justice system information (what happens after a spouse, partner or family member is arrested?)

Employment and job training information

Financial information (such as how to balance a checkbook or create a budget OR how to stop abuser from stealing from victim)

Housing information (emergency shelters, transitional housing or affordable permanent housing)

Information about available services

* 16. Have you ever reported your concerns about an older adult who may be a victim of abuse in later life?

Yes

If you responded “yes,” please answer (17) and (18) below. If "no," skip to question 19.

Question Title

* 17. To whom did you report your concerns? (Please check all that apply.)

Your supervisor

Police

Fire Department (EMS)

Adult Protective Services

Local Crisis Center

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 18. Were the recipients of your report helpful? (Please comment)

Question Title

* 19. Have you or members of your staff received any training on abuse in later life?

Yes

Question Title

* 20. Do you have literature, information and posters about abuse in later life displayed in your facilities?

Yes

Question Title

* 21. From your organization’s perspective, what do you think might be the biggest obstacles to providing appropriate services to victims of abuse in later life? (Check the top 3 choices.)

Health care problems (older victim or offender)

Lack of options for counseling, support groups and safety planning for older victims

Lack of organizational capacity (staffing, facilities, training, funding) for victim service providers

Lack of professional training about abuse in later life

Lack of public awareness about abuse in later life

Lack of reporting

Lack of transportation

Lack of understanding about available community resources

Limited affordable housing options for older victims

Limited money and resources so older victims can live independently or access services or legal assistance

Victim fear, shame, or embarrassment

Please use the space below to describe other obstacles:

Question Title

* 22. What kinds of supports would be most helpful to your organization in responding to the needs of older victims of abuse?

Clearer policies and procedures

Increased opportunities for networking and collaboration

More accessible/accommodating facilities for older victims of abuse

More outreach efforts in community

Training for staff

Question Title

* 26. Please provide the organizations contact number

Question Title

* 27. Please provide the organizations mailing address and email below

This survey was revised by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) based on a survey created and implemented by the Merrimack County Coordinated Community Response team in Concord, New Hampshire.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey! Your responses will help us make decisions about the best ways to offer services and opportunities to older individuals in this community.

Please scan and email the survey to Lisa.Miller@CRISHealthyAging.org.

If you have questions about this survey or would like to know more about CRIS Healthy Aging please contact us.

Phone: 217-443-2999 E-Mail: Lisa.Miller@CRISHealthyAging.org