Direct Services

Our team is available 24/7 and may be activated whenever an ED or hospital provider has concern that a patient may be a victim of mistreatment 

Our specialized consultation from a VEPT medical provider may initially include: face-to-face medical and forensic evaluation with comprehensive documentation of all findings and photographs, recommending additional radiographic and laboratory testing, initiating appropriate interventions, facilitating inclusion of other hospital resources, assisting with involvement of the authorities or other community agencies, giving supportive counseling to the victim, and recommending appropriate disposition 

Our VEPT social worker will provide: psychosocial assessments to identify appropriate interventions and services including discharge planning and care coordination, liaises between patient services, ethics, and other disciplines to coordinate care for VEPT cases, provides assistance in completing victim compensation applications when appropriate, follows up and coordinates with Adult Protective Services (APS), law enforcement, guardians, civil legal services, and other community agencies 

For many potential elder mistreatment victims with complex needs, additional team members contribute to VEPT

• In some cases, VEPT involves hospital security to protect the victim and/or remove a potential perpetrator from the ED/inpatient unit or restrict visitation
• If a potential perpetrator is the victim’s health care proxy or surrogate decision-maker, VEPT involves hospital ethics, patient services, and legal services to help guide appropriate care decisions and facilitate discussions to determine if guardianship may be appropriate

For patients who are hospitalized, the VEPT social worker and geriatrician in-patient medical provider monitor and regularly meet with them to provide support and/or counseling. Our team advises the in-patient team and helps to ensure that a victim is protected and receives all appropriate services. This often includes identifying shelter or alternate housing options. Recommendations for community referrals, should a patient prefer to return home, will also be provided