Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The Risks of Caregiving

SUMMARY

Findings from a study utilizing grandparent and child welfare worker focus groups demonstrate that professionals can learn about elder abuse from older people who may be experiencing abuse. This challenges the assumption that elder abuse is a social problem that must be defined by professionals because abuse victims are unable to speak for themselves. Differences in perceptions between African American and Latina grandparents underscore the importance of incorporating of diversity into elder abuse research. Examining elder abuse from the perspective of clients and professionals in service systems not traditionally associated with this social problem can promote case finding and prevention.

KEYWORDS:

• Elder abuse
• grandparents raising grandchildren
• child welfare
• aging
• social services
• intergenerational