Elder abuse ‘needs broader definition’

SOME elderly people would tolerate abuse by members of their own family rather than move into a nursing home, according to the findings of a major study on elder abuse.

Research carried out on behalf of Age Action Ireland revealed that some people’s fear of requiring residential care was so great that they would regard abuse by relatives in their own home as “more acceptable”.

The study also called for a wider definition of “elder abuse” to be considered, as the current understanding of the issue was focused too narrowly on meeting older people’s psychological and safety needs and does not go far enough in developing and implementing preventative measures.