Protections
Demographics
The 1996 National Elder Abuse Incidence Study was the first attempt to quantify the number of elder abuse cases in the country. From this study, the best national estimate is that almost half a million people 60 and over experienced abuse and/or neglect in domestic settings. Of this total, only 16 percent were reported to state protective and regulatory agencies. Thus it is estimated that for every reported case of abuse, as many as five cases go unreported.
The past decade has seen considerable progress toward understanding the nature and scope of elder mistreatment. Studies show that in cases of physical, psychological, and financial abuse in the community, the perpetrators were more likely to have a history of psychopathology, and tended to be dependent on the victim for financial resources. In cases of neglect, the victim was more likely to be older, widowed, and cognitively and/or physically impaired, with few social contacts. These profiles have helped service providers identify risk factors and develop appropriate intervention strategies.
Updated: November 2, 2007
