Addressing Complex Issues Collaboratively
Prologue: Conservative estimates have elder abuse affecting four in every 10 seniors. In 2001, FSA Toronto formed the Elder Abuse Consultation Team (EACT), a collaboration of 16 members representing 13 organizations from different sectors that deal with older people. The team gathers at least once a month to provide advice to service providers who present complex elder abuse cases that they are dealing with. This year FSA Toronto designed an evaluation to assess the statistical profiles of the abuse cases and the effectiveness of the team from the presenters’ and team members’ perspectives.
To date, the EACT has consulted on 69 cases. Fourteen of the earliest presenters, representing 20% of all cases heard to date, responded to an assessment survey about their experiences with the EACT. More than half had sought the help of the EACT to gain new ideas to address a specific case. While the pool of respondents was small, the results reveal that presenters are satisfied with the consultation team.
Almost half (43%) did not have improvements to recommend. Among those who did, two indicated that they would have preferred a shorter list of recommendations from the team and more agreement regarding optimal courses of action. Two respondents also noted that a three- to six-month follow-up would provide an opportunity for the presenter to receive additional feedback in light of any new developments in the case.
The EACT members’ evaluation, conducted in January 2007, was also very positive, with members giving highest scores to relationship/trust within the group and consideration for cultural issues in case discussions. The diversity of the team across cultures, age groups, education levels and life experiences was seen as a strength. In particular, the cross-sector diversity—a very rare approach within the violence sectors—was highlighted by 8 of the 18 respondents as a key strength. EACT’s leadership in cross-sector collaboration is viewed as positive for all involved. Broadening the membership further (to include police, banks, legal, and medical professionals, for example) was identified as a potential area of growth for the team.
Epilogue: The evaluation reveals that EACT is largely effective and performing as intended. Stronger orientation to the goals and activities of the team is needed for new members and the EACT would likely benefit from more frequent surveys of presenters and members to ensure the continuing effectiveness of the team
Note: If your browser blocks pop-up windows, please press down the "CTRL" key, hold it and click on the "send this page" button.