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Elder Abuse Awareness and Action: The Role of State Summits

NCJ Number
230268
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 22 Issue: 1-2 Dated: January-June 2010 Pages: 180-190
Author(s)
Georgia J. Anetzberger, Ph.D., ACSW; Shantha Balaswamy, Ph.D.
Date Published
January 2010
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article reviews state-level elder abuse summits.
Abstract
Increasingly, States are convening summits to identify appropriate local responses to elder abuse. This first-ever nationwide research on state-level elder abuse summits examines what leads to their formation, what they accomplish, and what factors contribute to their success. Study results suggest that two-fifths of the states have held summits, four-fifths of which have been since 2000. Typically the summits were convened by the state department of human services or aging, involved 25-50 participants, and lasted less than 2 years. Nearly 50 percent of study respondents felt that summit goals had been met, and 60 percent stated that recommendations were implemented, usually because of committed participants, involvement of the right people, or strong advocacy. State summits can be effective means for galvanizing collective action to address elder abuse as a complex social problem. Tables and references (Published Abstract)