Leading the fight against      adult abuse

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Why does it happen?

There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs and these may vary with each incident. In some circumstances it is an opportunistic act, perpetrated by someone who takes an opportunity that arises.  In other cases it is premeditated and calculated.  In still other situations it is caused by prejudices or by the environment that creates institutional attitudes and approaches.  In all cases there is an element of power and control exercised by the perpetrated over the abuser.

Some abuse is caused by ignorance, lack of skills or lack of external support.  This is particularly the cases with passive neglect, where there is no intent to harm but is caused by unintentional failures.  The impact on the older person however is always significant and is always defined by AEA as abuse, regardless of the motivation or intent of the perpetrator.

 At home some of the causes would appear to include: 

More Information:

What is elder abuse?

Why does it happen?

What are the signs?

What to do and who to contact

• poor quality long term relationships
  
  

• a carer’s inability to provide the level of care required
  
  

• a pattern of family violence exists or has existed in the past

• a carer with mental or physical health problems
  
  

• social isolation of the family member

In other settings abuse may be a symptom of a poorly run establishment. It is also likely to occur when staff are:

• inadequately trained
  
  

• poorly supervised

• have little support from management
  
  

• work in isolation

There are many academics who invest significant time and energy in researching the nature of abuse and who put forward numerous explanations for why it occurs.  Some of these are:

• the intergenerational transmission of abuse;
  
  
• stress
  
  
• dependency
  
  
• isolation
  
  
• psychological relationship between abuser and victim
  
  
• poverty
  
  
• minority status
  
  
• age discrimination
  
  
• disability discrimination
  
  
• communication difficulties