NCJ Number
81774
Journal
Journal of Gerontological Social Work Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1980) Pages: 27-39
Date Published
1981
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Findings of several studies are used as the basis for this discussion of the extent of crime victimization and fear of crime among the elderly and on programs established to deal with this problem.
Abstract
Three widely held beliefs are that crime is one of the very serious problems most older people face, crime affects the elderly much more so than other age groups, and the typical victim is an elderly white woman. According to a recent Chicago survey, 41 percent of the city's 518,000 residents over age 65 felt that crime was their most serious concern. As a result of their fear, many elderly persons are afraid to leave their homes or even to answer a knock on the door. Police reports indicate that the aged are systematically preyed upon during the first days of the month, when social security, public assistance, and pension checks arrive. About 20,000 checks are stolen each year, usually by the direct looting of mailboxes. Although whites receive more publicity as violent crime victims, most victims are blacks. In addition, urban surveys do not support the view that most elderly persons suffer serious problems due to crime. For example, a community survey conducted in southern California generally failed to show that persons aged 65 to 74 have more problems than other age groups. However, middle-aged and older blacks and Mexican Americans were more likely than whites to view crime as a serious problem. Older women, especially blacks and Mexican Americans, were also more likely than older men to view crime as a problem. Studies have also shown that the physical, psychological, and financial consequences of crime are far more severe for the elderly than for younger persons. Programs to deal with these problems include neighborhood watch, bus services for elderly residents to banks and grocery stores on the day their pension checks arrive, and the direct deposit of Federal checks into recipients' bank accounts. Further research and policy changes regarding the location of housing for low income elderly persons are needed, since the problem of crime against the elderly appears to relate more to their living conditions than to their age. Sixteen reference notes and eight references are listed.