Elder Abuse Scoping Study Published

Despite a growing recognition of elder abuse and the impact that it has on the lives of older people, we lack both a good understanding of the issues involved and the evidence base surrounding this.

The Melbourne Social Equity Institute commissioned the National Ageing Research Institute to conduct a scoping study reviewing the published literature on elder abuse with a specific focus on intergenerational elder abuse, and the evidence supporting interventions to address this abuse.

The key recommendations of the study include:

• A national framework that aligns State and Commonwealth legislation, policies, strategies and services to ensure that older people get equal access to information, advice and support regardless of their geographical location.
• More research into the risks and needs of older LGBTI people regarding elder abuse
• Further research that targets the risk factors for abuse by perpetrators, including the circumstances that lead to dependence on the older person such as mental illness, substance abuse and financial problems.

Download a copy of the report (PDF)