Older People’s Conceptualization of Abuse: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The concept of elder abuse is a relatively recent one, and there is ongoing debate around its definition and interpretation. Policy in America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland has been criticized as being professionally driven and therefore paternalistic and disempowering. Little is known about older people’s understanding of the term “abuse” or the behaviors that they deem to be abusive. In this systematic review, eight databases were searched using agreed-upon criteria, and the results were assessed for relevance. Fifteen studies were included and are discussed under the themes of caregiving, domestic violence, society, abusive acts, and thresholds.

KEYWORDS:

• decision making
• elder abuse
• judgment
• review
• social work

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI).