Mental health professionals contribute in important ways to both the c
linical and ethical issues raised by cases of elder mistreatment. Thei
r clinical competencies contribute to improving quality of life by dim
inishing psychological suffering and the symptoms of mental illness. T
hey are also used for managing the ethical issues raised by these case
s, The ethics of mental health care are based on the values of benefic
ence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. The value of autonomy in
mental health care gives priority to an individual's long-term ability
to act as independently, rationally, and fully in all aspects of life
as possible. The concepts of legal and clinical competence also aid i
n managing the ethical problems presented by cases of elder mistreatme
nt. The ethical protocols of mental health professionals may be distin
guished from some other disciplines by the premium given to long-term
autonomy and by the aim of insuring treatment for all persons involved
in cases of elder mistreatment, rather than limiting treatment respon
sibilities to the victim.