Abuse And Neglect Of Older Adults

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the important developments that have occurred in the field of research related to the abuse & neglect of older adults since 1989. The first section briefly reviews previous Canadian research on the subject. Section 2 covers the definitions of the different types of abuse & neglect and discusses the disputes that have arisen over how to define. Subsequent sections review the research on the following: abuse & neglect of older adults in domestic and institutional settings; characteristics of victims and perpetrators; theories of abuse & neglect; risk factors for abuse; protocols for abuse & neglect detection, assessment, and intervention; programs and services developed to address the issue; and prevention. The final section is a brief look to the future.

Elder Abuse and Its Prevention is the summary of a workshop convened in April 2013 by the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Global Violence Prevention. Using an ecological framework, this workshop explored the burden of elder abuse around the world, focusing on its impacts on individuals, families, communities, and societies. Additionally, the workshop addressed occurrences and co-occurrences of different types of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial, as well as neglect. The ultimate objective was to illuminate promising global and multisectoral evidence-based approaches to the prevention of elder maltreatment. While the workshop covered scope and prevalence and unique characteristics of abuse, the intention was to move beyond what is known about elder abuse to foster discussions about how to improve prevention, intervention, and mitigation of the victims' needs, particularly through collaborative efforts. The workshop discussions included innovative intervention models and opportunities for prevention across sectors and settings. Violence and related forms of abuse against elders is a global public health and human rights problem with far-reaching consequences, resulting in increased death, disability, and exploitation with collateral effects on well-being. Data suggest that at least 10 percent of elders in the United States are victims of elder maltreatment every year. In low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of violence is the greatest, the figure is likely even higher. In addition, elders experiencing risk factors such as diminishing cognitive function, caregiver dependence, and social isolation are more vulnerable to maltreatment and underreporting. As the world population of adults aged 65 and older continues to grow, the implications of elder maltreatment for health care, social welfare, justice, and financial systems are great. However, despite the magnitude of global elder maltreatment, it has been an underappreciated public health problem. Elder Abuse and Its Prevention discusses the prevalence and characteristics of elder abuse around the world, risk factors for abuse and potential adverse health outcomes, and contextually specific factors, such as culture and the role of the community.

Since the late 1970s when Congressman Claude Pepper held widely publicized hearings on the mistreatment of the elderly, policy makers and practitioners have sought ways to protect older Americans from physical, psychological, and financial abuse. Yet, during the last 20 years fewer than 50 articles have addressed the shameful problem that abusersâ€"and sometimes the abused themselvesâ€"want to conceal. Elder Mistreatment in an Aging America takes a giant step toward broadening our understanding of the mistreatment of the elderly and recommends specific research and funding strategies that can be used to deepen it. The book includes a discussion of the conceptual, methodological, and logistical issues needed to create a solid research base as well as the ethical concerns that must be considered when working with older subjects. It also looks at problems in determination of a report's reliability and the role of physicians, EMTs, and others who are among the first to recognize situations of mistreatment. Elder Mistreatment in an Aging America will be of interest to anyone concerned about the elderly and ways to intervene when abuse is suspected, including family members, caregivers, and advocates for the elderly. It will also be of interest to researchers, research sponsors, and policy makers who need to know how to advance our knowledge of this problem.

This large-print Canadian booklet provides brief information about elder abuse: who does it and why, how to determine abuse, why older people are reluctant to report it, and what can be done about it.

This bibliography provides an overview of selected English- and French-language materials published 1981-94 in North America on abuse and neglect of seniors in institutional settings. Entries are arranged by author under categories including types of abuse, recognition of the abuse problem, reference materials, guiding principles, causes of abuse and neglect, the role of professionals, legal issues, interventions, guardianship, and strategies for preventing abuse and neglect. All annotations are in English.

This guide provides information & an approach that communities can use to develop policies, programs, & services that support older adults affected by abuse & neglect. The introduction includes a definition of abuse & neglect and notes that abuse & neglect is a form of family violence. This is followed by discussion of the context of abuse & neglect of older adults, including the types of abuse, indicators of abuse & neglect, risk factors, prevalence, and population trends. Section 3 reviews perceptions about abuse & neglect, factors contributing to the risk of abuse, and principles & issues involved in interventions. Section 4 considers ways to changing community attitudes & values which play a large role in how a community responds to neglect & abuse of older adults. Section 5 describes approaches for community response, such as support networks, advocacy, service provider training, development & use of protocols, community co-ordination, and preventive strategies. The final section examines legal issues that affect a community's response.

This book steps back to take stock of what we know and do not know, what is being done and what needs to be done about abuse and neglect of older people. Twenty-seven authors from across Canada have collaborated to bring together insight and analysis from their diverse perspectives: practice, education, policy-making and research.