ACTION ON ELDER ABUSE - AN OVERVIEW

The purpose of the symposium was to provide an international overview of the issues concerning action on elder abuse and neglect. Living lon ger is both an achievement and a considerable risk. It affects unprece dented opportunities, but it also presents personal and social challen ges related to quality of life in old age. Essential questions were ra ised about dependency, autonomy, frailty and competence, and the contr oversial relationship between the elderly and those who care and susta in them in the community. Links between national findings and experien ces, similarities and differences were discussed and possible ways for ward were covered. Recognition of the dimension of what is a dominant societal jeopardy is still difficult and interventions do not always p roduce satisfactory outcomes. Awareness of the problem and early and p lanned actions are likely to be successful in limiting the impact of e lder abuse.