Added value of elder abuse definitions: a review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Elder abuse significantly impacts older adults' quality of life, security, and health, leading to increased mortality and morbidity.
• This issue transcends socioeconomic boundaries, affecting individuals globally.
• The lack of a unified definition for elder abuse creates significant challenges for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the historical context and elements of various elder abuse definitions.
• To assess the appropriateness of different definitions in diverse settings.
• To address the definitional chaos hindering elder abuse research and intervention.

Main Methods:

• Tracing the evolution of elder abuse definition elements.
• Socio-historical contextualization of definitions.
• Analysis of the purposes and appropriateness of existing definitions.

Main Results:

• Elder abuse definitions reflect societal structures and are inherently complex.
• Existing definitions present a 'definitional chaos' impacting professional practice.
• A universally agreed-upon definition is debated, with needs for both broad and specific criteria.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for a flexible definition encompassing diverse abuse behaviors and settings.
• A specific, concrete definition is crucial for professional practice, prevention, and intervention.
• Adhering to the WHO definition and a simplified professional definition can advance elder abuse research and practice.