Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Trauma-informed care and elder abuse: a synergistic alliance
- Authors:
- ERNST Joy Swanson, MASCHI Tina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 30(5), 2018, pp.354-367.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Elder abuse is a global systemic problem in which one or more traumatic or stressful life experiences directly affect older adults, their families, and communities. Despite its devastating impact, the understanding of—and response to—elder abuse has rarely been explored through a trauma-informed lens. Despite the prevalence of traumatic and stressful life experiences, research and practice are just beginning to target the intersection of elder abuse and life course trauma. This article demonstrates how knowledge about the causes, consequences, and responses to elder abuse can be integrated with the principles of trauma-informed care to improve agency and community responses to preventing or intervening with elder abuse and neglect. In order to address the ongoing problems with detection and treatment of elder abuse, we assert that instilling trauma and elder abuse informed care in organizational services and policies forms a synergistic alliance and would address many of these concerns. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring gender and elder abuse from the perspective of professionals
- Authors:
- WEEKS Lori, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 30(2), 2018, pp.127-143.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The authors conducted an online survey of professionals working in two Canadian provinces to learn about their knowledge of elder abuse from a gender-based perspective. A total of 169 professionals (90% women) completed a survey in either French or English. Five topic areas emerged from the analysis: the influence of gender on the risk of abuse; types of abuse detected; knowledge gaps; capacity to respond to gender-based abuse; and awareness of resources. To gain further insight into these results, we conducted three focus groups with a total of 24 professionals. Professionals held relatively little recognition of, or knowledge about, gender related to elder abuse. The results indicate the need to develop educational and awareness raising opportunities for professionals who work with abused older adults in both French and English to identify and respond to the unique needs of older women and men. (Edited publisher abstract)
The victim-offender overlap in late adulthood
- Authors:
- REISIG Michael D., HOLTFRETER Kristy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 30(2), 2018, pp.144-166.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study contributes to the general knowledge of the victim–offender overlap by determining whether the phenomenon exists among older adults and whether known correlates of crime and victimisation explain the relationship. Cross-sectional survey data from telephone interviews conducted with individuals 60 years and older (N = 2,000) residing in Arizona and Florida are used to estimate confirmatory factor models for both victimisation and criminal offending. The results from a series of multivariate regression models show that victimisation is associated with criminal offending. While factors such as low self-control, depression, and spending time in commercial drinking establishments partially attenuate the victimisation–crime link, the statistically significant relationship persists in a multivariate context. Further testing indicates that the observed findings are robust across measurement and modeling strategies. Coupled with prior research, the results support the argument that the victim–offender overlap exists (and is difficult to explain) over the life course. (Edited publisher abstract)
What’s in a name? Family violence involving older adults
- Authors:
- BENBOW Susan M., BHATTACHARYYA Sharmi, KINGSTON Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 20(5/6), 2018, pp.187-192.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the terminology used to describe family violence involving older adults in order to stimulate a discussion that may assist in the use of a more appropriate and clearer terminology. Design/methodology/approach: Different definitions of terms used to describe violence are considered and the contexts in which they are used. Two cases are described to illustrate the use of overlapping terms, the assumptions that lie behind them and the different actions that they lead to. Findings: The authors argue that legal, relational, health (physical and mental) and social perspectives are all useful and integration contributes to a fuller understanding of violence. Originality/value: The importance of terminology used to describe family violence involving older adults has been neglected in the past, yet it influences understanding about violent incidents and shapes responses to them. (Publisher abstract)
Elder mistreatment in South Asian communities: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- TALPUR Ashfaque Ahmed, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 20(5/6), 2018, pp.193-206.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to perform a review of the literature of empirical studies on elder mistreatment (EM) in South Asians, and to discuss key implications for policy, practice and research. Design/methodology/approach: For this review, multiple electronic databases in the international health and social science were searched and supplemented by grey literature and cross-references. Quality of papers was assessed by two authors against the standard checklists. Findings: In total, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria of this review, of which 11 were cross-sectional design, and only six of them used standard instruments to measure EM. The prevalence estimates of overall EM retrieved from general population-based studies ranged from 9.3 per cent in India to 49.1 per cent in Nepal. Age, gender, residential settings, socioeconomic status, health, education, and social structures and processes were key risk factors for EM in South Asian communities. Reporting and action taking were culturally rooted. Originality/value: While the review is not systematic, there are limitations associated with the paper in covering the diverse range of databases and studies. However, this review provides a valuable synthesis of the empirical papers on the incidence, culturally specific risk factors and reporting trends of EM in South Asians. Additionally, the review presents the papers evaluated for a quality to ensure the validity of empirical data. Finally, the review includes several implications for policy, practice and future research on EM which may ultimately contribute in improving the health and wellbeing of elder South Asians. (Publisher abstract)
Oops! Its happened again! Evidence of the continuing abuse of older people in care
- Author:
- MOORE Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 20(1), 2018, pp.33-46.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an empirical research project designed to enhance knowledge of the current extent and nature of abuse in contemporary care homes for older people. Design/methodology/approach: A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that was subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in six participating care homes providing care to older people to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked. Findings: A significant proportion of respondents described instances of predominantly psychological and physical abuse and neglect. Research limitations/implications: Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 194 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 140 had witnessed abuse; data suggest that abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people. Originality/value: The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. Findings suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes. (Publisher abstract)
A systematic review of sexual assaults in nursing homes
- Authors:
- SMITH Daisy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(6), 2018, pp.e369-e383.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The dramatic growth in the older adults (65 years+) has created an equivalent increase in the number of nursing home (NH) residents. NH residents often lack physical and cognitive abilities, making them particularly vulnerable to assault. Although sexual assault is among one of the most shocking types of assault, it is also the least acknowledged, detected, and reported type of assault against NH residents. This systematic review examines victim/perpetrator sociodemographic and relationship characteristics as well as the forensic characteristics of sexual assaults occurring in NH. Design and Methods: A 7 database systematic search of studies published between January 1, 1949 and October 26, 2015 was conducted that examined sexual assaults in NH. Articles reporting on sexual assault in NH and other institutional settings were eligible. Community-dwelling populations and studies not describing sexual assault or physical aspects of sexual assault were excluded. Sexual assault was not restricted to a single definition, study method, or country. Results: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Sexual assault was the least reported type of assault in NH. Victims of sexual assault were likely to be females with cognitive or physical impairments. Perpetrators were likely to be male residents, although staff members were also substantiated. Forensic characteristics and investigative data were limited. Study limitation included inconsistencies between study purposes and small sample sizes. Implications: This review highlights a gap in knowledge regarding sexual assaults in NH and demonstrates a need for better staff training in detecting, examining, and managing sexual assaults in NH. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring definitions of financial abuse in elderly Korean immigrants: the contribution of traditional cultural value
- Authors:
- LEE Hee Yun, LEE Sang E., EATON Charissa K.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 57(10), 2018, pp.293-311.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of this study is to explore the cultural definitions of financial abuse from the perspective of 124 elderly Korean immigrants and to examine the role of traditional cultural values in their definitions by using a mixed methods approach. The qualitative analysis generated four themes relevant to definition of financial abuse. A binary logistic regression indicated that those with stronger cultural adherence to traditional values had higher odds of providing culture-based definitions of financial abuse. Education is needed for health professionals, social service providers, and adult protective workers to increase their understanding of culture-specific experiences of financial abuse among ethnic minority elders. (Publisher abstract)
Financial abuse in elderly Korean immigrants: mixed analysis of the role of culture on perception and help-seeking intention
- Authors:
- LEE Hee Yun, EATON Charissa K.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 57(10), 2018, pp.463-488.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study aims to evaluate how elderly Korean immigrants perceive and respond to a hypothetical incident of financial abuse on the basis of their cultural background. By using a quota sampling strategy, 124 elderly Korean immigrants were recruited. A mixed-method approach was employed to explore the role of culture on elderly immigrants' view of financial abuse and the construct of independent and interdependent self-construal was adopted to theoretically guide the study. Mixed-method analysis confirmed considerable influence of culture, particularly in responding to the abusive situation. Although the vast majority of the elders (92%) perceived financial abuse as elder mistreatment, only two-thirds (64%) intended to seek help. Five major themes for not seeking help were produced. These are: (a) issues related to family problems, (b) tolerance of the abuse, (c) shame, (d) victim blame, and (e) mistrust toward third party intervention. A series of binary logistic regressions revealed (a) a lower likelihood of seeking formal types of help with those who had higher level of adherence to traditional values and (b) the profile of vulnerable elderly Koreans who are at higher risk of being financially abused: male and less educated. This article also discusses implications for social work practice and elder mistreatment policy, particularly focusing on how to work with elderly Korean immigrants who are vulnerable to this problem and who tend to use collectivistic cultural values in responding to financial abuse. (Publisher abstract)
Social workers’ reflections on the therapeutic encounter with elder abuse and neglect
- Authors:
- GOLDBLATT Hadass, BAND-WINTERSTEIN Tova, ALON Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 33(20), 2018, pp.3102-3124.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore social workers’ reflections on their experience of the therapeutic encounter with victims and perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect. The research questions were as follows: How do social workers tune themselves toward the therapeutic encounter with elder abuse? How do they position themselves vis-a-vis the clients? How do social workers describe the meaning of the intervention both for the clients and for themselves? What is the added value of the therapeutic encounter in this field for the social workers? Participants were 17 experienced women social workers, who worked with abusers and with abused and neglected older adults in Israel. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were later transcribed and content analysed. Two main themes emerged from the findings, emphasising two key aspects of the social workers’ reflective process experienced during the therapeutic encounter: (a) focus on the client: “This is the journey of their lives”—reflection on the therapeutic “journey”; (b) focus on the social worker’s inner and professional world: “‘There is nothing to be done’ is no longer in my vocabulary”—a personal and professional maturation process. The social workers expressed a positive attitude toward their elder clients. A unique dialogue developed in the therapeutic encounter, whereby the social workers considered any change as valuable if it allowed the elders a sense of control and self-worth, whereas the social workers were enriched by the elders’ life experience, and matured both personally and professionally. Thus, both sides benefited from this reciprocal relationship. Implications for further research and practice are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)