Elder Abuse and Gender

Abstract

Elder abuse could be a single or repeated unbecoming acts and deliberate or accidental neglect that occur in relationships of trust that result in hurt or suffering to an older person. In some cases elder abuse causes permanent injury and even death. Elder abuse, especially abuse perpetuated by family members, dates back to ancient times. Recognition of elder abuse as a social problem and one type of family violence came after that of child and domestic abuse. Elder abuse was initially called “granny battering” and attracted the attention of medical personnel and later that of legal and academic personnel as well as the general public. Elder abuse continues to impact the lives of older adults, especially women, 60 years and older in several ways. It is a worldwide problem that impacts the quality of life of elders in several ways. Research and policy literature tend to classify elder abuse into seven main types: physical abuse, sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, self‐neglect, abandonment, and financial abuse or exploitation. Though several incidence and prevalence studies have been conducted, the need for more intervention studies is recognized.