Elder Abuse Research Paper

Question 1
What is elder abuse?
The International Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Older People (INPEA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) define Elder Abuse as:
“a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress t an older person. Abuse of older people can be of various forms such as physical, psychological/emotional, sexual and financial. It also reflects intentional or unintentional neglect.” (ACT Government Community Services, June 2012)

Question 2
List five types of abuse. Give a brief description of each of elder abuse and an example of sign/s that could indicate abuse is occurring.
Forms of Abuse of
At this time the evidence in support of mandatory reporting is not convincing. The consensus of government reports and researchers has been to oppose the introduction of mandatory reporting.

Workers and agencies are encouraged to seek advice from specialist services whenever required (e.g. Aged Care Assessment Teams, legal services, Police, mental health services, sexual assault services).

All agencies that provide services to older people have the following roles in responding to the abuse of older people:
Refer suspected, disclosed or established cases of abuse to appropriate services
Identify possible abuse of older people
(Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine Position Statement No. 1 Elder Abuse)

Question 7
Are older people with Dementia at higher risk of elder abuse? Support your answer
Older people with dementia are more likely to be abused than those who are cognitively intact. This may be related to increased dependence on carers or to a lower likelihood of seeking
Page
Research to Practice Briefing 3 • February 2010

REFERENCES

ACT Government Community Services, June 2012, ACT Elder Abuse Program Policy, viewed 30 May, 2013 http://ACT (ACT Elder Abuse Program Policy).

Advocare - viewed 30 May 2013: http://www.Advocare.org.au 2012.

Aged Care Act 1997, Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing – viewed 24 May, 2013.

Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) 2012, viewed 24/5/13.

Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine Position Statement No. 1 Elder Abuse
Department of Human Services – Southern Metropolitan Region, (Dealing with Elder Abuse - September 1997).

Government Community Services, June 2012, Government Community Services, June 2012,
Office of Senior Victorians 2009 – With Respect to Age 2009. Victorian Government Practice Guidelines for Health Services and Community Agencies for the Prevention of Elder Abuse – viewed 30/5/13. services and community agencies
Wiglesworth A, Mosqueda L, Mulnard R, Liao S, Gibbs L, Fitzgerald W.
Screening for Abuse and Neglect of People with Dementia - Viewed 4 June, 2013, http://Medscape.com/viewpublication 2010 (American Geriatric Soc.