Ageism and Elder Mistreatment: Talking the Talk but Not Walking the Walk

Abstract Elder mistreatment (EM) is increasingly recognized as a global health concern. Among U.S. minority and immigrant populations, the social contexts and psychological consequences associated with EM remain poorly understood. Further population-based epidemiological studies using standard EM measures are required to advance the field. To address this gap and to challenge prior assumptions regarding Asian populations, this purpose of this symposium is to improve our understanding of EM epidemiology in an older minority population. Data were drawn from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE), a longitudinal, representative, population-based study of 3,157 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the greater Chicago area. Session 1 will examine the transmission between child mistreatment, intimate partner violence, and EM. Session 2 will take a typology approach to capture the multifaceted family relationships, and will further examine which family typologies were associated with greater likelihood of EM, while which typologies were protective against EM. Session 3 will explore the positive and negative aspects of social support from spouse, family, and friends in relationship to EM subtypes, including psychological, physical, financial and sexual mistreatment, and caregiver neglect. Session 4 will examine the relationship between broad, moderate, and strict definitions of EM and likelihood of experiencing anxiety. Last, Session 5 will explore the differential relationships between EM subtypes and depressive symptoms. In summation, this symposium challenges popular conceptions of the “model minority myth” and aims to increase the practical and clinical relevance of EM epidemiology in community, research, healthcare, and policy settings.

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Development and usability evaluation of VOICES : A digital health tool to identify elder mistreatment

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ◽

10.1111/jgs.17068 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fuad Abujarad ◽

Davis Ulrich ◽

Chelsea Edwards ◽

Esther Choo ◽

Michael V. Pantalon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Digital Health ◽

Usability Evaluation ◽

Elder Mistreatment

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When Helping Hurts: Nonabusing Family, Friends, and Neighbors in the Lives of Elder Mistreatment Victims

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2145 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 628-628

Author(s):

Risa Breckman ◽

David Burnes ◽

Sarah Ross ◽

Philip Marshall ◽

J Jill Suitor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elder Abuse ◽

Representative Survey ◽

Elder Mistreatment ◽

Professional Help ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Research conducted by the NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) at Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues found that concerned persons experience significant distress knowing about elder abuse and trying to assist victims. Data will be presented from a nationally representative survey which included items on concerned persons in elder abuse. Thirty-one percent of all respondents reported that they had a relative or friend who experienced elder abuse; of these, 61% had attempted to help the victim and over 80% reported the experience is very or extremely stressful (2017). By both knowing about and becoming involved in elder abuse situations, concerned persons experience significant emotional and practical problems and often need professional help. NYCEAC’s Elder Abuse Helpline for Concerned Persons is the first of its kind in the country. The Helpline’s services and structure will be explained, and possibilities for replication in other locations will be explored.

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Elder Mistreatment in an Italian Population: Prevalence and Correlates

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/0091415019875454 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 83-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Laura Badenes-Ribera ◽

Matteo A. Fabris ◽

Claudio Longobardi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Italian Population ◽

State Of Health ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

Elder Mistreatment ◽

Population Prevalence ◽

Paid Caregivers ◽

Path Analysis Model

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of elder mistreatment (EM) in an Italian population and to determine the risk factors. The sample consisted of 393 older adults ( Mage = 77.07; standard deviation = 9.45) of whom 60.1% were females. The prevalence of EM was of 20.1%. Older elders who were separated, divorced, with a poor state of health, and problems of autonomy were more likely to experience EM. The most common forms of EM were physical/sexual (9.9%) and emotional mistreatment (9.9%). The most common perpetrators were paid caregivers and members of the victim’s family. A path analysis model suggested that limited autonomy and poor perceived health status appeared to be predictors of EM. We conclude that the results of this study have important implications in terms of reducing mistreatment of older adults. Understanding EM is essential to promoting equality, tolerance, and supportive attitudes and developing better prevention policies and practices.

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