NCJ Number
145887
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 4 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 135-149
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Elder abuse in Quebec, Canada, has been defined as a social problem since the late 1970's, and many changes in policies, social practices, and laws have been proposed as scientific knowledge about the problem has grown.
Abstract
Using a comprehensive paradigm for their studies of fear of crime, criminal victimization, and elder abuse, researchers in Quebec gained knowledge of elderly attitudes toward and reactions to crime. These studies, conducted in 1980's, uncovered different forms of criminal victimization and abuse of the elderly in community, family, and nursing home settings. They showed that criminal victimization of the elderly appears to be more widespread than reported by official statistical reports. Further, the studies demonstrated that observing nursing home residents to define elder abuse allows for a general appraisal of the institutional quality of life. Elder abuse is discussed as both a scientific problem and a social problem, and the importance of integrating research and practice to detect and prevent elder abuse is emphasized. 22 references