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Perceived Effectiveness of Legislation Concerning Abuse of the Elderly: A Survey of Professionals in Canada and the United States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

John B. Bond Jr ,
Roland L. Penner  and
Penny Yellen
John B. Bond Jr
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Roland L. Penner
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Penny Yellen
Affiliation:
Elder Abuse Resource Centre
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Abstract

A survey on abuse of the elderly was mailed to 174 Canadian and American professionals who were identified as persons likely to be involved with cases of elder abuse. Neglect was the most commonly reported type of abuse, followed by financial and psychological abuse. Physical abuse constituted the smallest number of cases. While various family relationships were reported, middle-aged sons were the most common abusers, while older mothers were most frequently the victim. Regardless of the legislative approach taken, laws were reported to be generally effective. Greatest concerns were expressed regarding the lack of funds to administer and provide services to abused seniors.

Résumé

Un sondage sur l'abus et les mauvais traitements faits aux personnes âgées a été posté à 174 professionnels canadiens et américains susceptibles de compter parmi leur clientèle des victimes d'abus. La négligence représentait la forme la plus courante de mauvais traitements, suivi par l'abus sur le plan financier et les mauvais traitements sur le plan psychologique. La violence physique constituait le plus petit nombre de cas signalés. Même si diverses relations de famille ont été décrites, les fils d'âge moyen représentaient la plus large proportion de personnes responsables d'un comportement abusif, alors que les mères âgées représentaient les victimes les plus fréquentes. Peu importe les lois établies, les répondants ont déclaré que celles-ci étaient généralement efficaces. Le manque de fonds pour administrer les lois et offrir des services aux personnes âgées victimes d'abus représentait la question qui préoccupait le plus les répondants.

Keywords

LawsVictimizationPolicy.Loisreprésaillespolitique.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 14 , supplement S2 , Été/Summer 1995 , pp. 118 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1995

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