Responding and Intervening in Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abstract

This paper will provide an overview and discussion of the causal and risk factors relating to elder abuse, together with some of the interventions that might be used. The issues and developments that have occurred will be briefly explored. Over the last 10 years there has been increasing global recognition of the abuse and neglect of vulnerable older adults as a social problem in need of attention. A number of European countries have been working in this area but are at different stages of development. The identification of elder mistreatment remains problematic. Techniques of intervention are in quite early stages of development, although some recent progress has been made. A number of national and international organizations have been established. Various research initiatives are underway. Education and training for professionals is taking place concerning recognition of abuse and development of intervention skills. Involvement of the public and in particular older service users themselves in discussion about the issues is an essential next step in the process and public education and awareness-raising are also very important. This paper will explore some of the pertinent issues. Responses to the problem of elder abuse from a number of European countries will be examined. Some reasons for the slow development of this area will be presented and possible future developments will be considered.

Factors Contributing to Elder Abuse and Neglect in the Informal Caregiving Setting

“…In fact, Penhale (2010) asserts that past relationships is a sensitive research topic and therefore difficult to research.…”

Relation between medical sociology and sociology of ageing or later life. A new challenges, social expectations and dilemmas

“…International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly discussion on abuse showed that only 15-16% of domestic abuse as well as other forms of aggressive behaviours have been recognized -majority of older victims are still unknown. Critical assessment of the spread of awareness of mistreatment depends on understanding of what constitutes elder mistreatment (Tobiasz-Adamczyk 2009, Penhale 2010.…”

The effects of an eLearning module “Elderly people in safe hands” for healthcare professionals to challenge elder abuse: a mixed method study

“…[4] Much research in recent years has focused on the prevalence of elder abuse, [4][5][6][7] attitudes and knowledge of professionals regarding elder abuse, [8][9][10] assessment tools to rate elder abuse [11,12] and knowledge of risk factors relating to elder abuse. [13,14] Although many researchers have addressed the need for professional education, there is little research on the development and use of educational programmes. The WHO states that "education involves not only teaching new information but also changing attitudes and behavior, and is thus a fundamental preventive strategy".…”