Exploitation and Abuse of Older Family Members - An Overview of the Problem (From Abuse of the Elderly, P 3-12, 1984, Joseph J Costa, ed. - See NCJ-95695)

• NCJ Number: 95696
• Author(s): N R King
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the bases for estimates of elder abuse and summarizes major findings from research on abuse of the elderly.

Abstract

Estimates of the national scope of elder abuse vary from 500,000 to 1 million persons abused annually. Composite categories of abuse include physical abuse, which involves bodily harm; psychological abuse, such as threats of violence resulting in mental distress, fright, and/or emotional disturbance; negligence, which results in injury or a violation of the victim's rights; and financial exploitation by relatives or caregivers which includes theft or conversion of money or property belonging to the older person, sometimes accomplished by threat, deceit, or battering. These differences in types of abuse account in part for the varying estimates of abuse; another difficulty in determining the incidence of elder abuse is victims' reluctance to report maltreatment. Data from four studies show the typical victim to be female, over 75, and physically, emotionally, and/or financially dependent on her abuser. Data indicate that the typical abuser is a close relative and primary caregiver for the abused elder; the abuser is likely to be under severe stress and may suffer from alcoholism and/or mental illness. Factors contributing to elder abuse are cited, including longer lifespans, stress, dependency, and learned violence. More research on elder abuse is called for. Seven references are included.