Elder Mistreatment and the Public's Health

An ever-increasing population of older adults indicates that, unless the problem of elder mistreatment is slowed or resolved, the problem will be on the increase. Similar to the abuse of children and to younger adults, elders have been abused throughout history, but never before has the topic reached the attention of broad systems and disciplines such as the justice system, the medical system, the social work system, and the academic community. Each approaches the issue of elder mistreatment differently, although some remedies converge. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a backdrop against which to understand the issue of elder mistreatment as well as to present the most salient types of research and practice projects that are currently being undertaken in the United States. The discussion will include entities and projects that established the foundation for current research and practice as well as highly important current projects that are being conducted. Their particular contribution to the knowledge and practice base on the topic will be emphasized.