Elder abuse: an overview of recent and current developments

Abstract

Within the last 6 years there has been increasing recognition of the problem of elder abuse and neglect in the United Kingdom (UK). However, defining elder abuse and neglect remains problematic. Identification of those people who are abused, and their abusers, is also fraught with difficulties. Interventions with victims and perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect are in the formative stages of development. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief overview of elder abuse and neglect, and to consider some of the difficulties in both the detection of, and intervention in, abusive situations. The dynamics of abuse will be considered, as will the need for multi-disciplinary approaches to identification, assessment and intervention.

E le sauaina tatou tagata matutua: Re-examining abuse through cultural lens of the fonofale model

“…While the WHO emphasise physical abuse as the most reported category of elder abuse because of the 'granny bashing' phenomenon in Western communities, the Samoan elders here countered this view. 27 Another perceived view of abuse is the placing of elderly people in a rest home. The participants considered this as an act against fa'asamoa, and the spiritual values and beliefs encapsulated therein.…”

“…Studies from the global literature identify neglect as another form of abuse with psychological and emotional consequences. 27 This above comment raises a problem solving solution, that the aiga collective can resolve vā relations amongst the generations, even over time as Ihara and Vakalahi suggested. 31,32 Further exploration of such notions of abuse need to be clarified.…”

Money ‘handling’, financial abuse and elderly people with dementia: implications for welfare professionals

“…Rowe et al (1993) feel that the inappropriate continuation of agency arrangements needs to be seen as financial abuse, although this is not a view supported by the authors who feel that financial abuse is best reserved for those who have an intent to defraud financially; rather than those confused and muddled by the agency/appointeeship system and by other aspects of the legal and administrative framework for handling other people's money (Langan & Means 1996). Nevertheless, it is clear that financial abuse and suspicion of financial abuse in this more narrow sense is widespread (McCreadie 1991, Bennett & Ogg 1992, Langan & Means 1994, Troke 1994, Cohen 1995, Penhale & Kingston 1995. It is clear that home care and other service provider staff are both vulnerable to such allegations and also often in a position to take financial advantage of elderly clients with dementia.…”