NCJ Number
176429
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 43-58
Date Published
1997
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to assess the scope and nature of elder abuse and neglect in a traditional group undergoing change, the Arabs in Israel.
Abstract
Data were obtained from 128 human service and health professionals in 55 communities of northern Israel on cases of elder abuse and neglect they had encountered for an 18-month period prior to the study. The 31 agencies employing the reporting professionals included 14 human service departments serving larger communities, 4 human service departments serving villages, 5 nonprofit agencies providing home-based care, 4 hospitals, and 4 branch offices of the National Insurance Institute (equivalent of the Social Security Administration). Data were collected on case characteristics, characteristics of abused elders, characteristics of alleged perpetrators, and information related to reporting workers (professional or occupational affiliation and number of new cases encountered during the last 18 months). Arab elders in Israel had a 2.5 percent rate of abuse and neglect, excluding self-neglect. This figure was somewhat lower than that reported in the literature for either developed or developing societies. Rates of abuse and neglect were highest in urban areas, somewhat lower in suburban areas, and lowest in isolated villages. Among alleged perpetrators of abuse and neglect, sons and daughters-in-law ranked highest, reflecting cultural patterns in some traditional societies. Results lend some support to modernization theories of aging and elder abuse and indicate the profile of abused elders is not significantly different from their Western counterparts. Recommendations are offered in the areas of worker training and service enhancement. 21 references and 4 tables