Fingerprint-based background checks for personal care workers: Stakeholder views of policy criteria

Decision makers face difficult choices when tasked with identifying and implementing appropriate mechanisms for protecting the elderly and other vulnerable adults from abuse. A pilot project involving fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for personal care workers in Michigan has supp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of elder abuse & neglect 2018-01, Vol.30 (1), p.75-92
Main Authors: Raile, Eric D., Swierenga, Sarah J., Dennis, Toni A., Swanson-Aprill, Lauren A., Post, Lori A., Abujarad, Fuad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult abuse & neglect
Aged
Background checks
Caregivers - legislation & jurisprudence
Cost benefit analysis
Criminal history background checks
Decision making
Effectiveness
Efficiency
elder abuse
Elder Abuse - prevention & control
Humans
Interest groups
Long-Term Care
Michigan
mixed methods
Mixed methods research
Older people
personal care workers
Pilot Projects
Social workers
Vulnerability
Work groups
Workers
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Summary:Decision makers face difficult choices when tasked with identifying and implementing appropriate mechanisms for protecting the elderly and other vulnerable adults from abuse. A pilot project involving fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for personal care workers in Michigan has supplied an opportunity to examine one such mechanism. In conjunction with the pilot project, we have conducted a stakeholder analysis with the aim of informing decision makers about stakeholder perceptions of standard policy criteria like effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. We employed focus groups and a Web-based survey to collect data from stakeholders. While stakeholders generally see fingerprint-based background checks for personal care workers as potentially effective and as a net benefit, they also point to a variety of contingencies. They also recognize difficulties and constraints for government involvement. This preliminary analysis provides solid foundational information for decision makers and for more extensive benefit-cost analysis.
ISSN:0894-6566
1540-4129
DOI:10.1080/08946566.2017.1330715