Elder Abuse

History of Problem Recognition

Elder abuse existed prior to modern times. However, it usually was not considered to be a social problem. For example, in early America some Indian tribes forced older members to work until exhaustion, and Hudson Bay Eskimos moved, leaving elderly members behind when there was not enough food for everyone. Among colonists, families sometimes cast out older dependent kin when they were unable or unwilling to provide care. In addition, conflict over property could result in family scorn or worse for older people.

Recognition of elder abuse as a problem began in the 1950s, when many younger family members moved from their hometowns in search of better jobs and other opportunities, leaving older kin behind. Communities became concerned about the possible neglect and exploitation of those who were mentally impaired and living alone, outside of institutions. Adult protective services was created and spread nationwide to address these concerns.

Public recognition of other elder abuse forms was sparked during the mid-1970s to early 1980s. This began with professional writings on a “battered old person syndrome” by geriatrician Robert Butler in 1975 and testimony on “battered parents” by sociologist Suzanne Steinmetz before the U.S. House Science and Technology Committee, which was exploring overlooked aspects of family violence in 1978. Recognition of most other elder abuse forms emerged from pioneering research on the topic. Although often methodologically flawed, these early studies served to characterize the problem, contrast it with child abuse, and speculate on its etiology and scope.

Nature and Scope of the Problem

Elder abuse research has not advanced as rapidly or far as research on most other aspects of interpersonal violence. Reasons for this include funding deficits, few investigators, weak theory, and methodological ambiguities. However limited, existing research does provide a beginning understanding of elder abuse as a complex problem that occurs across settings and affects a large number and diversity of older adults.