Structured interview data from 142 caregivers (98 wives, 44 husbands) indicate that more depressed caregivers are more likely to treat their spouses in potentially harmful ways. However, consistent with hypotheses derived from communal relationships theory, when the preillness relationship between caregiver and care recipient was characterized by mutual responsiveness to each other's needs (i.e., was more communal), caregivers were less depressed and less frequently engaged in potentially harmful behaviors. These effects were not attributable to demographic factors, amount of care provided, care recipient dementia status, or length of time in the caregiving role. Rather, multivariate analyses suggest that the extent to which premorbid relationships were communal in nature determines whether caregivers perceive their current relationships as rewarding, which, in turn, predicts caregiver depression and potentially harmful behaviors.

Relationship quality and potentially harmful behaviors by spousal caregivers: how we were then, how we are now. The Family Relationships in Late Life Project.

Along with health care providers, social workers are the professionals most likely to be responsible for detecting signs of elder maltreatment and providing interventions and preventive services. In this study, using data from a county adult protective services unit, we discuss the complex nature of domestic elder maltreatment, identify risk factors for different types of maltreatment, and recommend prevention strategies. Specifically, we compare self-neglecting elders and those abused and/or neglected by others. Of the latter, we further compare risk factors for physical and emotional/psychological abuse and/or neglect with risk factors for financial exploitation only. The risk factors analyzed include elders' gender, age, living arrangement, acute or chronic health conditions, mental health status, cognitive deficits, size of social support, and alcohol abuse. As preventive strategies, we discuss case-management services, caregiver support services, and alcohol/substance abuse screening and tre...

Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

Elder abuse in family settings has increased in recent years for a variety of reasons, including the increasing proportion of older adults in the total population, the related increase in chronic disabling diseases, and the increasing involvement of families in caregiving relationships with elders. Future trends indicate not only continued growth of the older population but suggest, as well, an increased demand for family caregiving which may, in turn, be accompanied by increasing rates of elder abuse. It is important to consider issues associated with such caregiving and elder abuse in families from an ecological perspective as a basis both for framing conceptually relevant and effective prevention strategies as well as for understanding the specific character of the broader issue of the intergenerational nature of the quality of life in an aging society. Using an applied ecological model, the article focuses on the contextual risk factors of elder abuse. Specifically, five levels of environment--microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem--will be utilized to organize and interpret existing research on the risk factors asociated with elder abuse (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1986, 1997). The configuration of the risk factors provides a useful framework for understanding the intergenerational character of the quality of life for older adults, for developing recommendations for empirically-based action research, and for the development of community-based prevention and intervention strategies. The application of a contextual perspective to the development of intervention and prevention programs will be addressed, the latter in relation to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

Elder abuse by adult children: an applied ecological framework for understanding contextual risk factors and the intergenerational character of quality of life.

Older women experiencing domestic violence are an invisible group who fall into the gap between two forms of family violence: elder abuse and domestic violence. This article reviews the literature in both fields, describing each paradigm, how it explains and responds to its specific form of violence, and why neither has been able to provide an adequate response to domestic violence against older women. A collaborative response is needed, accounting for both the age and gender dimensions of the problem.

Responding to the Needs of Older Women Experiencing Domestic Violence

This study examined the prevalence of elder abuse of Chinese in Hong Kong and also assessed its impact on their psychological functioning. A total of 355 (120 males, 235 females) elderly Chinese residing in Hong Kong responded to a questionnaire administered individually. Results indicated prevalence rates of 2% for physical abuse and 20.8% for verbal abuse. These rates were higher than those reported by a telephone survey of similar respondents. Rates did not differ significantly for men and women. Data from the General Health Questionnaire showed that abused elders, as compared with nonabused elders, scored significantly higher on overall psychological distress. Abused participants were also significantly more dependent on their caregivers than nonabused participants. This difference did not, however, predict the level of psychological distress after accounting for physical abuse and verbal abuse.

Prevalence and Psychological Impact of Chinese Elder Abuse

What is Elder Abuse and Neglect? - Frank Glendenning Clinical Presentation - Peter Decalmer Elder Abuse and the Law - Aled Griffiths, Gwyneth Roberts and John Williams Abuse of Older People - Chris Phillipson Sociological Perspectives Elder Abuse and Key Areas in Social Work - Jill Manthorpe Recognizing Abuse - Michael Davies An Assessment Tool for Nurses The Multidisciplinary Assessment of Clients and Patients - Peter Decalmer and Alison Marriott with contributions from Dudley Ainsworth, Robert Bamlett and Jan Cowley The General Practitioner and Elder Abuse - John F Noone, Peter Decalmer and Frank Glendenning Carer-Dependant Relationships and the Prevention of Elder Abuse - Michael Nolan Looking to the Future - Frank Glendenning and Peter Decalmer

The mistreatment of elderly people

The developments and changes in the concept of ‘education for older adults’ during the last two decades are reviewed in this article. The origin of the terms ‘third age’ and ‘educational gerontology’ are discussed also and the issue of non-legitimation is raised.

Education for Older Adults.

Educational Gerontology : International Perspectives

The education for older adults "movement" - an overview some critical implications critical educational gerontology - relationships and future developments changing attitudes to older people education for older people - the moral dimension critical educational gerontology and imperative to empower educational and social gerontology - necessary relationships the debate continues - integrating educational gerontology and lifelong learning teaching and learning in later life - considerations for the future

Teaching and Learning in Later Life: Theoretical Implications

Changing perspectives on ageing and intelligence, Frank Glendenning problems with the assessment of intellectual change in elderly people, Ian Stuart-Hamilton ageing and wisdom, Peter Shea memory changes in older people, Carol Holland learning aptitude in later life, Lorraine McDonald some concluding comments, Ian Stuart-Hamilton.

Frank Glendenning

Papers

The mistreatment of elderly people

Education for Older Adults.

Educational Gerontology : International Perspectives

Teaching and Learning in Later Life: Theoretical Implications

Learning and Cognition in Later Life