Elder Neglect, Abuse, and Exploitation (From Family Violence: Emerging Issues of a National Crisis, P 101-124, 1989, Leah J Dickstein and Carol C Nadelson, eds. -- See NCJ-114238)

• NCJ Number: 114242
• Author(s): M Z Goldstein
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: American Psychiatric Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After defining terms associated with abuse of the elderly, this chapter describes the Elder Assessment Instrument (EAI), reviews the legal system's handling of elder abuse, profiles victims and abusers, and recommends relevant protective services legislation.

Abstract

The EAI was developed at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital as a valid and reliable instrument for identifying the abuse mandated for reporting physical abuse, neglect, mental anguish, and exploitation. The number of States requiring health care professionals to report abuse of older adults by family members has doubled from 16 in 1981 to 37 in 1986. In most of these 37 States, the purpose of the statutes is to create a statewide protective service system. Available studies indicate that the majority of victims are females over 75 without sufficient income to live independently. Past intragenerational and intergenerational conflicts tend to influence current abuse of the elderly, and the abusing caregivers tend to lack adequate resources to care for dependent elderly family members. Suggested legislation recommends the establishment of a protective service system and the powers and duties of a State agency responsible for organizing a protective service system. 3 tables, 39 references.