Mapping Elder Mistreatment Cases: Interactions Between Mistreatment, Dementia, Service Utilization, Access to Services, and Disadvantage

Abstract

Typical explanations of elder mistreatment have focused on individual-level models. The current study adds to the literature by considering the neighborhood context in which reports of elder mistreatment are made to protective services. Using geographic information system software, the distribution of 751 adult protective services (APS) reports from three cities in southeastern Virginia is analyzed. Results suggest that Alzheimer's cases are distributed differentially across cities and that in one city, reports primarily come from disadvantaged areas. The results also suggest that clients from disadvantaged areas are more likely to refuse services. Implications for policy, theory, and future research are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Elder abuse
• elder maltreatment
• dementia

Notes

This study was funded by an award from the Virginia Alzheimer's Research Award fund.