Data were gathered from a quota sample of 140 elderly subjected to abuse an
d/or neglect by their family members. The respondents included both men and
women living in Visakhapatnam city. The patterns of abuse of the elderly w
ere measured using a modified form of the Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, 1
979). The results indicate that the most likely victims of elder abuse are
widowed women, elderly with poor economic back ground, and dependent. As re
gards the forms of abuse, verbal abuse of the elderly was reported more fre
quently followed by material abuse and neglect. A sizeable portion of the r
espondents have reported physical abuse. It was also found that abuse has n
egative implications-social, psychological and behavioural. for the elderly
. Further, the data indicated that the son, the daughter-in-law and the spo
use in that order are the frequently reported abusers. It is recommended th
at programmes should be designed to provide adequate opportunities for part
icipation of the elderly, to reduce social isolation and to provide support
services to families caring for the elderly to help reduce stress of the c
aregivers.