ELDER ABUSE IN THE COMMUNITY - PREVALENCE AND CONSEQUENCES

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the prevalence and the consequences of chron ic verbal aggression, physical aggression, financial mistreatment, and neglect in a community-based sample; (2) to investigate the circumsta nces that led to the abuse and the ways in which the victims handled t he problem. DESIGN: Prevalence was assessed in a population-based samp le of 1797 older people living independently in Amsterdam, the Netherl ands. In a follow-up study 1 year Inter, the victims were questioned a gain about the background and consequences of the abuse. RESULTS: The 1-year prevalence of elder abuse was 5.6%. The prevalence of the vario us types of elder abuse was: verbal aggression 3.2%, physical aggressi on 1.2%, financial mistreatment 1.4%, and neglect 0.2%. Most victims r eported emotional reactions immediately after the abuse. Seven of 36 v ictims experienced physical or financial damage as a consequence of th e abuse. More than 70% of the victims were able to stop the abuse, eit her by themselves or with the help of others. CONCLUSION: The rate of occurrence and the consequences of elder abuse in the Netherlands was established. Elder abuse is more widely spread if not only close relat ives or people with whom the older person lives are considered as poss ible perpetrators but other familiar and trusted people are considered as well. Intervention should be focused on the roughly 40% of victims who were not able to stop the abuse.