Aging and Mistreatment: Victimization of Older Adults in the United States

Abstract

Elder mistreatment is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any trust relationship that causes harm to an older person. Elder mistreatment has cultural implications across the world because some societies value elders while others devalue them. Approaches to define, detect, and address elder mistreatment must be placed within a culturally sensitive context and considered alongside culturally specific risk factors. Examining Caucasians, African Americans, Native Americans, Israelis, Filipinos, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders reveals that it is a critical and growing public health and societal problem: approximately 1–2 million Americans, age 65 or older have been abused or neglected by family members and people entrusted with their care and protection. Four of every five cases of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or self-neglect go unreported to authorities. Affecting both sexes, elder mistreatment is highly correlated with disability. Elder mistreatment occurs across different cultures and ethnic groups and other facets of identities, in various settings, and most commonly at the hands of family members. Elder mistreatment most immediately affects individual elders, but prevention and intervention efforts must also include macro-level systemic factors. Appropriate funding and training for professionals is critical. Elder mistreatment is a problem that entails societal values that impede problem solutions: ageism, sexism, individualism, victim-blaming, and familial norms. Without a deep understanding of the complexities involved, elders will increasingly be mistreated.