NCJ Number
83604
Date Published
1981
Length
58 pages
Annotation
Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Human Services documents the nature and extent of abuse of the elderly and offers recommendations for remedial Federal action.
Abstract
Testimony was heard from witnesses familiar with the problem of abuse of the elderly and various efforts to deal with it. Backgrounds represented were social service, private community service, government, and law enforcement. Witnesses agreed that some form of government intervention is required if this growing national problem is to be addressed. Witnesses spoke of incidents of abuse of the elderly within families and in short- and long-term care institutions. Some recommendations for Federal action include (1) legislation that provides a financial incentive to States to pass mandatory elderly abuse reporting; (2) research funds to enable medical, mental health, legal, and social science researchers to conduct more analysis of the nature and scope of abuse of the elderly; (3) more model project money to start programs that deal with the problem; and (4) the maintenance of current funding for health, social, mental health, and legal services that can assist the abused elderly. Witnesses agreed that the block grant approach will most likely bring cuts in programs that serve the most needy and vulnerable persons in our society. Appended is an executive summary of a study of elder abuse.