NCJ Number
184726
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 1-17
Date Published
2000
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (NEAIS), conducted in 1994-1999 under the sponsorship of the U.S. Administration for Children and Families and the Administration on Aging, was designed to obtain national estimates of both reported and unreported cases of elder abuse and neglect for 1996; this article contrasts the methods and results of this study with several previous studies to assess the reasons for differences in estimates.
Abstract
An overview of the NEAIS study design addresses definitions, sampling, preparation and training, and preparing estimates. An assessment of NEAIS estimates considers the accuracy of the estimates of Adult Protective Services (APS) reports and comparisons of the NEAIS estimates with Boston and Amsterdam studies. The study advises that these three significant studies to date have reported estimates of elder abuse and neglect that range from 1.2 percent to 5.6 percent. Reasons for the differences include whether the study was designed to measure prevalence or incidence, the inclusiveness of the definitions, eligible age range, and methods of data collection. Future studies should combine incidence and prevalence and incorporate a sample design that will allow estimates for several age ranges and definitional subsets to meet various public policy requirements. 1 table and 13 references