ELDER-ABUSE IN A LAND OF TRADITION - THE CASE OF ISRAELS ARABS

This study attempted to assess the scope and nature of elder abuse and neglect in one traditional group currently undergoing change: the Ara bs in Israel. One hundred and twenty-eight human service and health pr ofessionals in northern Israel were asked to report about all cases of elder abuse and neglect they had encountered for a period of 18 month s prior to the study. Findings showed that overall Arab elders in Isra el have a 2.5% rate of abuse and neglect (excluding self neglect). Thi s figure is somewhat lower than that reported in the literature for ei ther developed or developing societies. Rates were higher in urban are as, somewhat lower in suburban areas, and lowest in isolated villages. These results lend some support to modernization theories of aging an d elder abuse. The profile of the abused elder is not significantly di fferent from that of his Western counterpart. Among alleged perpetrato rs, however, sons and daughters-in-law rank highest, reflecting cultur al patterns in some traditional societies. The article makes some earl y recommendations in the area of worker training and service enhanceme nt.