Patterns of Elder Abuse and Neglect in an Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Provider Agency: A Comparative Analysis

ABSTRACT

The primary objectives of this study were: (a) to examine patterns of substantiated elder (persons 60 years and older) abuse and neglect among blacks in one provider agency of the Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Program and (b) to determine how those patterns differ between blacks (n = 48) and non-blacks (n = 59). With the exception of income and emotional abuse, African-American victims did not differ significantly from victims of other ethnic groups in demographic characteristics or their experience of physical abuse, physical neglect, confinement, deprivation, and financial exploitation. Approximately 53.0% of black perpetrators were females and 57.0% of non-black perpetrators were males. About 65.0% of black abusers were informal caregivers and 54% of the non-black abusers were informal caregivers. Close to 96.0% of black male abusers and 88.9% of the black female abusers had black victims. Similarly, 97.1% of non-black male abusers and 100.0% of non-black female abusers had non-black victims. For older African-Americans, the findings have brought us closer to understanding patterns of abuse and neglect among a segment of the population that is rapidly expanding. Studying elder mistreatment among African-Americans is the first step toward implementing appropriate prevention and treatment programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Elder mistreatment
• elder abuse
• blacks
• whites
• African-Americans
• non-blacks
• older adults
• aging