Victimization of the elderly: elder abuse and neglect

Abstract With acceleration of the ageing population globally, more and more governments are concerned about the potential increase in elder abuse and neglect (EA/N). Recently the National Office for Ageing and the provincial offices for ageing conducted a survey of 224,352 Chinese over the age of 60 years using household interviews to assess economy, health, service, social participation, culture, rights protection, livable environment, etc. Author’s analysis of this data shows that 54% of the elderly people interviewed experienced physical and mental abuse or intimidation, and 6.95% of them felt that their legal rights were violated. Data also supports that the occurrence of EA/N was significantly correlated to self-care ability, economic status, and urban and rural regions of the elders. The researcher will discuss the practice and policy implications for the prevention of EA/N.

Download Full-text

An Update on Elder Abuse and Neglect

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674379403908s06 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 39 (8_suppl) ◽

pp. 34-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Stephen Vida

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Social Problem ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Common Law ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

The Elderly ◽

Criminal Code ◽

Legal Rights ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect

Abuse and neglect of the elderly represent an important social problem in Canada. Forms of elder abuse and neglect include physical, psychological and material abuse; neglect, both intentional and unintentional; and violation of legal rights. The definitions, signs, and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect are discussed, as are estimates of incidence and prevalence, and descriptions of possible risk factors. The evolution of legislation regarding the reporting of elder abuse and neglect is reviewed, as are relevant areas of common law, the Civil Code, and the Criminal Code. This is followed by an overview of practical considerations in clinical management, and finally by recommendations for further research.

Download Full-text

Understanding Elder Victimization and Best Practice Intervention Strategies

Invisible Victims and the Pursuit of Justice ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-7348-8.ch012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 274-299

Author(s):

Beverly Dolinsky ◽

Robert A. Jerin

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Service ◽

Best Practice ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Social Systems ◽

The Elderly ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Control And Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60 have experienced some form of abuse including neglect and exploitation. However, these statistics are an underestimate. Professionals who interact with the elderly describe being reluctant to report abuse due to a lack of knowledge of elder abuse, the reporting process, and the resources available to support victims. The invisibility of elder abuse has only increased during the 2020 COVID pandemic due to the increased social isolation of older adults and understaffed, overburdened health and social systems. Cross-disciplinary education for healthcare and social service practitioners, law enforcement, court personnel, families, and the older adults themselves is an essential component to identify and prevent elder abuse. This chapter provides an overview of elder abuse and neglect categories, risk factors, and best practice interventions advocated for addressing elder victimization.

Download Full-text

Identifying Victims of Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Training Video for Prehospital Personnel

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x0003778x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 36-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jason P. Seamon ◽

Jeffrey S. Jones ◽

Eric Chun ◽

Jon R. Krohmer

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

The Elderly ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Care Experience ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Kent County ◽

Post Test

AbstractIntroduction:The majority of prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) personnel lack specific training relating to elder abuse and neglect.Objectives:To develop and test an audio visual training program that focuses on the identification and reporting of domestic violence in the elderly.Methods:A videotape was designed to be used as a 45-minute training course for prehospital personnel using one-half inch, super-VHS recording. A convenience sample of 60 EMS personnel working in Kent County then were asked to evaluate the videotape program. Each volunteer completed a pre-test on elder abuse and neglect, watched the 45-minute videotape, and then answered 12 questions on a post-test.Results:Participants had an average of 12.4 years (range: 1–30 years) prehospita emergency-care experience. Only four (7%) could recall any previous training relating to elder abuse or neglect during their career. Although the prevalence of elder abuse in their community was described as “rather rare” by most (60%) of the subjects, 85% (51/60) had seen a suspected case of elder abuse or neglect during their careers; 47% (28/60) had seen a case during the past six months. Only 29% of these suspected cases were reported to county authorities. Approximately 40% of the questions on the pre-test were answered correctly (mean score, 4.8 ± 3.0). In comparison, 83% of the questions on the post-test were answered correctly (10.0 ± 3.0). Although participants had a number of suggestions to improve the video program, 78% (47/60) expected this material to change the way they will evaluate elderly patients in the future.Conclusion:Prehospital personnel do not feel confident identifying or reporting victims of elder abuse or neglect. A videotape training program may be an effective way of presenting this information as a means of continuing education.

Download Full-text

Impact of Sensitization of Family Caregivers upon Treatment Compliance among Geriatric Patients Suffering from Elder Abuse and Neglect

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9020226 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 226

Author(s):

Rishabh Garg ◽

Khurshid Mattoo ◽

Lakshya Kumar ◽

Imran Khalid ◽

Fawaz Baig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Caregivers ◽

Treatment Satisfaction ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

Control Group ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Group B ◽

The Impact

Geriatric patients in various outpatient department (OPDs) have been found to agonize from elder abuse and neglect (EAN). Such suffering imposes depressive states within individuals, which in turn affects treatment compliance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of sensitization (psychotherapeutic) of family caregivers (FCGs) upon two denture treatment parameters (maintenance and treatment satisfaction) among EAN patients and compare the differences in outcome with non-abused patients. A survey of completely edentulous subjects (n = 860, aged 41–80 years) provided a sampling frame of 332 EAN patients from which 150 patients (including FCGs) fulfilling the study criteria were distributed (simple random, convenient) into two groups (Group A—control, Group B—test). FCG sensitization for subjects in Group B was performed by a clinical psychologist in 2–4 short (30 min) sessions. Demographic characteristics (frequency) were measured using a self-reported questionnaire, denture maintenance was measured using a denture hygiene index (scores), and treatment satisfaction was analyzed on a 10-point visual analog scale. Relevant data were calculated for means and absolute/relative frequencies. Any difference between two groups was estimated using an unpaired t-test while the level of relationship was determined by Karl Pearson’s test at a p-value of < 0.05. The results showed highest frequency (38.6%) for neglect, with elder neglect (EN) being most common (38.14% alone and 14% in combination). EN was found more if the FCG was a son (52%), in the age group (21–30 years), and with low education and low income (75%). Patients whose FCGs were counselled (Group B) demonstrated low denture plaque scores (mean = 1.38 ± 0.618), while demonstrating comparatively higher scores in six different parameters of treatment satisfaction. Differences between the two groups for both parameters were also found to be statistically significant. Psychotherapeutic counselling in the form of FCG sensitization brings better results of denture maintenance and treatment satisfaction.

Download Full-text

Elder Abuse and Neglect in China: Prevalence, Co-occurrence, and Intergenerational Risk Factors

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260520985501 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052098550

Author(s):

Mengtong Chen ◽

Ko Ling Chan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Childhood Abuse ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Elderly Parents ◽

Contextual Risk ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

The Past ◽

Abuse And Neglect

The prevalence and patterns of elder abuse and neglect in China have been understudied. The objectives of this study were to examine the chronicity and prevalence of different patterns of elder abuse, and the influence of individual and contextual risk factors. We used data from a sample of 7,466 adults randomly recruited from six regions in China. The participants responded to a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics, childhood abuse experiences, and instances of abuse and neglect against their elderly parents. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of elder abuse and neglect with individual and contextual factors. The results showed that one in 10 participants reported that their elderly parents had experienced abuse or neglect in the past year. The elder victims were reported to have suffered different types of abuse and neglect on multiple occasions, ranging from 3.6 to 11.82 times on average. More than 5% of participants reported that their elderly parents had suffered two or more types of abuse and neglect in the past year, accounting for 40% of the elderly victims. The co-occurrence of elder abuse within elderly couples was also high. Reports of abuse and neglect of elderly parents were related to low socioeconomic status, living in rural areas, and the experience of childhood abuse of the participants. This study supports the model of intergenerational transmission of violence in the Chinese population. The high prevalence, chronicity, and co-occurrence of elder abuse and neglect underline the importance of screening for risk factors, and have implications for preventive practice and policy.

Download Full-text

ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN MEDICINE AND LAW: THE NEED FOR REFORM

Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1080/019476401750365174 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 159-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Sana Loue

Keyword(s):

Elder Abuse ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect

Download Full-text

Consequences of Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838017692798 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 197-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Raudah Mohd Yunus ◽

Noran Naqiah Hairi ◽

Wan Yuen Choo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Care ◽

Low Income ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Health Care Consumption ◽

Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽

Wide Range ◽

Abuse And Neglect

This article presents the results of a systematic review of the consequences of elder abuse and neglect (EAN). A systematic search was conducted in seven electronic databases and three sources of gray literature up to January 8, 2016, supplemented by scanning of citation lists in relevant articles and contact with field experts. All observational studies investigating elder abuse as a risk factor for adverse health outcomes, mortality, and health-care utilization were included. Of 517 articles initially captured, 19 articles met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Two reviewers independently performed abstract screening, full-texts appraisal, and quality assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Across 19 studies, methodological heterogeneity was a prominent feature; seven definitions of EAN and nine measurement tools for abuse were employed. Summary of results reveals a wide range of EAN outcomes, from premature mortality to increased health-care consumption and various forms of physical and psychological symptoms. Higher risks of mortality emerged as the most credible outcome, while the majority of morbidity outcomes originated from cross-sectional studies. Our findings suggest that there is an underrepresentation of older adults from non-Western populations and developing countries, and there is a need for more population-based prospective studies in middle- and low-income regions. Evidence gathered from this review is crucial in upgrading current practices, formulating policies, and shaping the future direction of research.

Download Full-text