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

• 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
• ISSN: 0894-6566; 1540-4129
• DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2017.1330715

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.