Elder Abuse: Some Caucasian-American Views

Older People’s Perceptions of the Term Elder Abuse and Characteristics Associated With a Lower Level of Awareness

“…Typologies of abuse and perceptions of severity or prevalence are most frequently described (Daskalopoulos, Mulin, Donovan, & Suzuki, 2006;Erlingsson, Saveman, & Berg, 2005;Hussein, Manthorpe, & Penhale, 2007;Lafferty, 2009). Hudson et al (1999) reported that over 90% of respondents aged between 45 and 93 years had heard the term elder abuse; this is similar to the level of awareness found in the present study. In contrast, a Japanese study reported that only 50% of an older population had heard the term elder abuse (Tsukada, Saito, & Tatara, 2001).…”

“…Based on interviews with older people from eight countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2002) highlighted older people's perceptions of elder abuse as existing at both the individual and societal level. Authors have also suggested a cultural dimension to the way in which elder abuse is constructed by older people (Beach et al, 2010;Hudson et al, 1999;Moon, 2000). In different societies or ethnic groups, abuse may be defined within the context of the impact, the intensity, or the circumstances surrounding a particular behavior or incident (Beach, Schulz, Castle, & Rosen, 2010;Hudson et al, 1999;Moon, 2000).…”

“…Authors have also suggested a cultural dimension to the way in which elder abuse is constructed by older people (Beach et al, 2010;Hudson et al, 1999;Moon, 2000). In different societies or ethnic groups, abuse may be defined within the context of the impact, the intensity, or the circumstances surrounding a particular behavior or incident (Beach, Schulz, Castle, & Rosen, 2010;Hudson et al, 1999;Moon, 2000). Operational definitions of abuse based on measurable interpersonal behaviors, often reflected in government policy, prevalence studies, and public information campaigns, may not accurately capture the wider meaning older people attach to elder abuse.…”

Listening to the voices of abused older people: should we classify system abuse?

“…[22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The analogous restructuring of many healthcare systems worldwide through introduction of mixed economies of care [29][30][31][32][33] and increasing specialisation seems to explain these parallels. Important aspects that were highlighted in these studies, also mirrored in the narratives of our participants, were excessive bureaucracy and a lack of clear responsibility in healthcare institutions.…”

Strategies in the Prevention or Reduction of Elder Abuse in Bangladesh and Malaysia

“…Mistreatment of older people -referred to as ''elder abuse'' -was first described in the British scientific journals in 1975 under the term ''granny battering'' (Baker, 1975;Burston, 1975). However, there is no universally accepted definition of elder abuse although in general, it is understood to include actions of violence or mistreatment committed intentionally or unintentionally, physically or emotionally5 arising from physical abuse or through forms of neglect (Hudson, 1999). According to the National Centre on Elder Abuse (NCEA, 2008), elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.…”