Interventions in Hypothetical Elder Abuse Situations Suggested by Swedish Formal Carers

ABSTRACT

In Sweden, public attention has not focused on elder abuse. No common view of interventions or organizational responsibilities has been developed. The aim of this study was to describe interventions suggested by Swedish formal carers in three hypothetical, typical cases of elder abuse. From one municipality in Sweden, 71 formal carers (district nurses, home service assistants, and general practitioners) responded to a questionnaire concerning three cases: “The Spouse Abuse Case,” “The Dependent Adult Child Case,” and “The Caregiving Relative Case.” Cluster analysis of the interventions was performed to explore patterns and reduce the number of variables. The findings showed that the respondents suggested few interventions, mainly viewing the problem as a social one, more specifically, as one for health care and voluntary organizations, or they suggested all types of interventions. The respondents⁵ professions were significantly related to their suggested interventions, i.e., there was a proportional predominance of district nurses suggesting more interventions of all types. Each professional group and organization seemed to develop their own view of elder abuse. The suggested interventions were related to their professional discipline, the specific type of situation., and the two cultures of health and social care.