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Elder abuse and oppression: voices of marginalized elders
Christine A Walsh1, Jennifer L Olson, Jenny Ploeg
1Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. cwalsh@ucalgary.ca
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect
|January 22, 2011
Summary
Elder abuse is more common in marginalized groups due to intersecting oppressions like ageism, racism, and sexism. Understanding these vulnerabilities is key to preventing elder maltreatment in diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Elder maltreatment is a significant public health issue.
- The experiences of marginalized elderly populations are underrepresented in research.
- The link between systemic oppression and elder abuse requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between oppression and elder abuse.
- To understand the unique vulnerabilities of marginalized older adults to abuse.
- To identify the forms of oppression contributing to elder maltreatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on oppression and elder abuse.
- Secondary analysis of focus group data from marginalized older adults and their caregivers in Canada.
- Qualitative examination of participant experiences.
Main Results:
- Elder abuse vulnerability is heightened by experiences of ageism, sexism, ableism, racism, heterosexism/homophobia, and classism.
- Intersectionality of oppressions significantly increases risk.
- Marginalized voices are crucial for understanding elder abuse dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Oppression significantly contributes to increased risk of elder abuse among marginalized groups.
- Addressing intersecting oppressions is vital for effective elder abuse prevention strategies.
- Future research should center the experiences of diverse older adults.
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