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Elder self-neglect and the justice system: an essay from an interdisciplinary perspective
1Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC, USA. marie.connolly@wilsoncenter.org
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|November 20, 2008
Summary
Elder self-neglect presents legal challenges, often intertwined with other elder abuse forms. Interdisciplinary research is crucial for effective intervention and prevention strategies to protect older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Legal Studies
- Social Work
Background:
- Elder self-neglect is a complex legal and ethical issue.
- Distinguishing self-neglect from other elder abuse types is challenging.
- Legal interventions like guardianship require careful consideration of civil liberties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complexities of elder self-neglect within the legal system.
- To emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address elder self-neglect.
- To call for expanded research on elder self-neglect, its scope, and interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of legal and ethical frameworks.
- Exploration of the intersection between self-neglect and other elder abuse categories.
- Discussion of challenges including ageism, funding, and ethical dilemmas.
Main Results:
- Elder self-neglect is difficult to prosecute directly but linked to other elder abuse cases.
- Legal interventions may protect vulnerable elders but risk infringing civil liberties.
- Significant challenges impede research and intervention in elder self-neglect.
Conclusions:
- Expanded research is imperative to understand elder self-neglect and its impact.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is critical for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.
- Protecting vulnerable older adults requires balancing safety with civil liberties.
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