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Missing Voices: Views of Older Persons on Elder Abuse

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Elder abuse, the mistreatment of older people, is now achieving due attention. However, prevalence studies concerning this type of abuse have so far been restricted to developed nations, resulting in a dearth of evidence about the prevalence of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of elders in developing nations. In response to this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) has worked to develop a global strategy for the prevention of elder abuse, beginning by conducting a study in eight countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Lebanon, and Sweden).

This 32-page publication details the design and findings of that study, and the conclusions of a meeting that took place in Geneva October 11-13, 2001. The purpose of this meeting was to identify the indications for policy, research, and action emerging from these study findings.

After an Executive Summary and an Introduction, the report provides a background of the history of elder abuse (including definitions and scope of the problem). It also describes the aims, objectives, research methodology, and data analysis of the project. This section is followed by a report of findings and discussion of key categories of abuse(including structural and societal abuse, neglect and abandonment, disrespect and ageist attitudes, and legal and financial abuse), concrete contexts of abuse (including retirement and the social roles of older persons, long-term care institutions (LTCI), health care professionals as abusers and victims, and culture-specific influences on abuse). Finally, implications of the study and strategies for the prevention of elder abuse are presented. Strategies proposed by the focus group participants. For example, recommendations for actions include:
  • Development of a screening and assessment tool for use in primary health care settings
  • Development of an education package on elder abuse for primary health care professionals
  • Development and dissemination of a research methodology 'kit' to study elder abuse
  • Development of a Minimum Data Set concerning violence and older people
  • Dissemination of the research findings through scientific journals
  • Development of a global inventory of good practise
  • Mobilisation of civil society through raising awareness of the widespread magnitude of elder abuse.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/22/2005 - 03:39 Permalink

Elder abuse, the mistreatment of older people, is now achieving due attention. However, prevalence studies concerning this type of abuse have so far been restricted to developed nations, resulting in a dearth of evidence about the prevalence of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of elders in developing nations. In response to this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) has worked to develop a global strategy for the prevention of elder abuse, beginning by conducting a study in eight countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Lebanon, and Sweden).

This 32-page publication details the design and findings of that study, and the conclusions of a meeting that took place in Geneva October 11-13, 2001. The purpose of this meeting was to identify the indications for policy, research, and action emerging from these study findings.

After an Executive Summary and an Introduction, the report provides a background of the history of elder abuse (including definitions and scope of the problem). It also describes the aims, objectives, research methodology, and data analysis of the project. This section is followed by a report of findings and discussion of key categories of abuse(including structural and societal abuse, neglect and abandonment, disrespect and ageist attitudes, and legal and financial abuse), concrete contexts of abuse (including retirement and the social roles of older persons, long-term care institutions (LTCI), health care professionals as abusers and victims, and culture-specific influences on abuse). Finally, implications of the study and strategies for the prevention of elder abuse are presented. Strategies proposed by the focus group participants. For example, recommendations for actions include:
Development of a screening and assessment tool for use in primary health care settings
Development of an education package on elder abuse for primary health care professionals
Development and dissemination of a research methodology 'kit' to study elder abuse
Development of a Minimum Data Set concerning violence and older people
Dissemination of the research findings through scientific journals
Development of a global inventory of good practise
Mobilisation of civil society through raising awareness of the widespread magnitude of elder abuse.