NCJ Number
176428
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 31-42
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Original analysis of data from British national disability surveys was undertaken to throw light on the problem of elder abuse; the prevalence of behavioral problems among individuals living in private households in Great Britain in 1985 was explored, and ages and living arrangements of those with potentially aggressive behavior were examined.
Abstract
The sample of disabled adults living in private households was identified through a screen of 100,000 households selected from a postal address file. Approximately 28,500 adults were identified as potentially eligible for detailed personal interviews. For the interviews, 18,000 adults were approached and full or partial interviews were completed with about 11,000. Each respondent was classified according to disability type and severity. Results showed passive behavior problems were more prevalent among older people, the rate per 1,000 being nearly three times as high as that for the general adult population. The number of older people living in the community in the most severe category, those who got upset enough to hit other people or injure themselves, was comparatively small. There were twice as many people with very severe behavior problems living with someone over 65 years of age as there were people with such problems over 65 years of age living with younger people. People with severe behavior problems accounted for only a small percentage of estimated abuse, and data suggested the potential for abuse arose in a variety of living arrangements. Tentative estimates are provided for the number of older people potentially at risk because they have lived with or are living with someone who has a disability that involves violent or aggressive behavior. 24 references and 4 tables