NCJ Number
103274
Date Published
1986
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This preliminary report of Maryland's Task Force on Elderly Abuse and Neglect discusses some major issues the task force has identified, including public awareness of the problem, prevention, intervention strategies, interagency coordination, and administrative and legal responses.
Abstract
The most rapidly increasing age group in Maryland is over 65 years old. As the likelihood of serious mental or physical infirmity or dependence increases with advancing age, the incidence of abuse and neglect of the elderly is likely to increase. Current efforts in Maryland to prevent and respond to abuse of the elderly have been hampered by lack of systematic coordination of agencies responsible for addressing the problem. A major difficulty is the lack of a uniform definition of elderly abuse to guide multiagency responses. Public awareness of abuse and neglect of the elderly must rise, and prevention should focus on improving services for the elderly and their families and enhancing the training of those who serve the elderly. Administrative responses to the problem should include the obtaining of more accurate statistics on abuse of the elderly and an acceleration of the hearing process for particularly vulnerable elderly persons. The legal response must focus primarily on publicizing and enforcing existing laws which protect the elderly. Appended relevant legislation and government policy statements.