Preventing elder abuse: can we learn from child protection?

Abstract

Old age should be a time of happiness, contentment, relaxation, and reflection. However, a person's twilight years can also be much like the beginning of life: a period of extreme vulnerability. Reliance on others can become a necessity. And, sadly, those entrusted with caring for elderly people, whether a family member or professional carer, might horribly betray this position. This type of abuse, which can be physical, emotional, sexual, or involve neglect or financial exploitation, was highlighted in a recent hearing of the US Senate Committee on Aging. Experts told the Committee that the prevalence of elder abuse in the community is around 14% in the USA but that this figure is likely to be an underestimation. For example, a new prevalence study showed that for every elder abuse victim in New York State who makes it into an official reporting system, another 23–24 go undetected. The Committee also heard that abuse and neglect of older adults may not only be at the hands of family members and staff in nursing homes, but that fellow residents can also be perpetrators. Meanwhile, a new report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), released to coincide with the Senate Committee hearing, concluded that many state Adult Protection Service programmes responsible for addressing elder abuse have struggled to keep pace with increasing caseloads because of a decrease in funding and lack of federal leadership. The GAO called for better governmental guidance for these protection services. Despite these shortcomings, the USA still leads in the development of protection services for adults, which are akin to the child protection services in many countries. It could go further. For example, the appointment of an elder abuse csar in government could help address the lack of federal leadership highlighted in the GAO report. Internationally, the USA should champion a new UN Declaration on the Rights of Older People, which has been suggested by non-governmental organisations and global networks for the prevention of elder abuse. There could be much to gain in the prevention of elder abuse by mirroring measures to protect children. Older people have the right to live in safe environments too. Drew BerryBefore lunching with Drew Berry , I visit his studio at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to watch examples of his prize-winning biomedical animations that interpret cellular and molecular processes. I am struck both by their beauty and Berry's scientifically rigorous approach. Afterwards, we stroll across the University of Melbourne campus to a long-revered academic watering hole. Full-Text PDF