Elder Mistreatment: Priorities for Consideration by the White House Conference on Aging

Abstract

Elder mistreatment is recognized internationally as a prevalent and growing problem, meriting the attention of policymakers, practitioners, and the general public. Studies have demonstrated that elder mistreatment is sufficiently widespread to be a major public health concern and that it leads to a range of negative physical, psychological, and financial outcomes. This article provides an overview of key issues related to the prevention and treatment of elder mistreatment, focusing on initiatives that can be addressed by the White House Conference on Aging. We review research on the extent of mistreatment and its consequences. We then propose 3 challenges in preventing and treating elder mistreatment that relate to improving research knowledge, creating a comprehensive service system, and developing effective policy. Under each challenge, examples are provided of promising initiatives that can be taken to eliminate mistreatment. To inform the recommendations, we employed recent data from the Elder Justice Roadmap Project, in which 750 stakeholders in the field of elder mistreatment were surveyed regarding research and policy priorities.

Emerging Innovations, Best Practices, and Evidence-Based Practices in Elder Abuse and Neglect: a Review of Recent Developments in the Field

“…Moreover, recent work of the U.S Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services developed the Elder Justice Roadmap, providing additional guidance and strategic thinking at both the practice and policy level (U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services 2014). And, finally, the 2015 White House Conference on Aging has identified elder abuse as one of its four major themes for the conference (Pillemer et al 2015). These are all critically important developments that have elevated the problem of elder abuse as one worthy of national attention.…”

“…Those working in the field of elder abuse and neglect face many challenges in their attempts to identify, investigate, prevent, and treat this significant and increasingly problematic issue in the United States (Pillemer et al 2015). Elder abuse and neglect (EAN), includes any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or other person that harms or causes risk of harm to a vulnerable adult (Administration on Aging 2015).…”

Factores De Riesgo Asociados a Los Malos Tratos a Personas Mayores Según El Género De Las Víctimas

“…El alcance del problema y las graves consecuencias que produce (Pillemer, Connolly, Breckman, Spreng & Lachs, 2015) hacen imprescindible la prevención y la detección precoz de los casos. Para ello es fundamental conocer los factores de riesgo y de protección asociados a los malos tratos.…”

State of the science on prevention of elder abuse and lessons learned from child abuse and domestic violence prevention: Toward a conceptual framework for research

“…The evidence-base is poor, and findings are either anecdotal or based on poorly designed and executed studies (Dong, 2015; Lachs & Pillemer, 2015; Pillemer, Burnes, Riffin, & Lachs, 2016; Pillemer, Connolly, Breckman, Spreng, & Lachs, 2015; Ploeg, Fear, Hutchison, MacMillan, & Bolan, 2009). In part, the lack of evidence is a result of significant challenges in designing and executing rigorous studies of the phenomenon.…”