The trustworthiness of the stories of elder abuse narrated by district nurses

The aim of the present study was to assess the trustworthiness of previously reported stories about elder abuse narrated by 21 district nurses (DNs) regarded as witnesses. Firstly, the stories were coded as to whether they were based on direct observation, hearsay or a mixture, and whether there were whole stories or story fragments. Secondly, they were coded and classified regarding a modification of the characteristics of reality developed from statement reality analysis. The DNs' single stories matched most of the characteristics. The results indicate that the DNs' stories are a reliable account of a personally experienced real event. Witnesses' stories are important sources in revealing phenomena, such as elder abuse. It also seems important to develop usable methods further.