Elder mistreatment in women.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Elder mistreatment is a pervasive issue affecting over 1.5 million older Americans yearly.
• Mistreatment encompasses abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment, leading to severe health and quality-of-life consequences.
• Existing research inadequately addresses gender-specific differences in elder mistreatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significant impact of elder mistreatment on older adults.
• To underscore the need for empirical research on gender disparities in elder mistreatment.
• To clarify the distinction between elder mistreatment and domestic violence continuing into later life for older women.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to identify existing research gaps.
• Analysis of definitions and classifications of elder mistreatment and domestic violence.
• Discussion of clinical implications for healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Elder mistreatment has devastating sequelae for victims, regardless of intent.
• There is a notable lack of empirical studies examining gender differences in elder mistreatment.
• Confusion exists in differentiating elder mistreatment in older women from domestic violence extending into old age.

Conclusions:

• Elder mistreatment is a critical public health concern requiring further investigation.
• Gender differences in elder mistreatment warrant dedicated research efforts.
• Nurses must screen older female patients for both elder mistreatment and ongoing domestic violence to ensure comprehensive care.