This study analyzed Weibo and Douyin comments posted during a five-day period surrounding a suspected elder abuse incident in a long-term care institution in mainland China. Of 51,776 comments collected, 41,362 remained after preprocessing. We used lexicon-based emotion classification, Baidu AI Cloud sentiment scoring, and TF-IDF and Latent Dirichlet Allocation to examine emotional, temporal, regional, and thematic patterns. Sentiment was predominantly negative (mean = -35.941). Among 4,305 classified comments, resentment was most frequent (n= 1,433, 33.29%), followed by confidence (n= 1,297, 30.13%), vengefulness (n= 659, 15.31%), fear (n= 538, 12.50%), and shame (n= 378, 8.78%). Higher provincial resident-to-direct care worker ratios were associated with more negative sentiment, although this ecological correlation does not establish causality. Recurring themes concerned prison-like images of institutional care, direct care worker stigmatization, regulatory oversight, vulnerability among people aging without children, and tensions surrounding family responsibility.
Taiwan's protection orders often fail to adequately protect the elderly because the existing legal framework, primarily designed to address intimate partner violence, overlooks caregiving dependencies. A major systemic barrier is that Taiwan's Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Centers (DVSCs), the primary local agencies responsible for coordinating elder abuse reports, lack the specialized expertise in elder abuse assessment, cognitive impairment, decision-making capacity, financial exploitation, and multidisciplinary safeguarding found in international Adult Protective Services (APS) models, as resources are predominantly focused on women and children. This gap results in professional shortcomings and petition withdrawal. This commentary advocates a specialized elder safeguarding system. Key recommendations include empowering social workers as third-party petitioners, establishing dedicated elder protection units within DVSCs, and integrating legal mechanisms with long-term care services to promote a proactive, multidisciplinary elder protection framework.
Older adults who are financially exploited by family members routinely seek healthcare. Non-abusing concerned family members often accompany older adults to, or know of, their medical encounters. This qualitative study examined 28 family members' perspectives of encounters across healthcare settings at the time that older adults were being harmed in family financial exploitation. A descriptive analysis showed that across potential intervention opportunities, three providers (12%) intervened in exploitation directly; some intervened based on medical information (28%); and others did not intervene (12%). In 32% of encounters, this information was unknown. A thematic analysis showed that financial exploitation was not recognized across (a) primary care, (b) hospital, (c) long-term care settings, and during (d) care transitions. This lack of detection can prolong financial exploitation and its harms, including social isolation. Elder family financial exploitation is discussed as a social determinant of health, with medical providers as key players in its redress.
Romance fraud, an offense in which victims are manipulated for financial gain through fabricated romantic relationships, has grown recently alongside new digital platforms that facilitate online romantic connections. At particular risk are older adults, who tend to be more socially isolated and less familiar with digital safety behaviors. Guided by gerontological and criminological theory, we present a narrative review of research on how romance fraud impacts older adults. The review includes empirical studies on romance scams impacting older adults (N = 8). We find that older adults targeted by romance scams are often navigating social isolation, widowhood, or emotional vulnerability, and, while not always the most frequently victimized, they face unique risks and consequences. This review highlights key risk factors of romance fraud victimization and offers insights to enhance digital safeguards for older adults. Future directions for research, as well as implications for policy and practice, are discussed.
This study examined 260 cases of elderly caregiving-related homicides in Japan from 2005 to 2024, in which victims aged ≥ 60 years were killed by family caregivers or relatives. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis identified three types. Type 1 ("Early elderly offenders/family victims") showed that husband or wife offenders in their 60s who killed their spouses suffering with pessimism or stroke. In another type 1, daughters in their 60s who killed their mothers in their 90s corresponding to "rourou-kaigo" [elderly care by the elderly] in Japan). Type 2 ("Older elderly offenders/spouse victims") included unemployed offenders in their 70s-80s. Type 3 ("Middle-aged offenders/parent victims") involved employed son offenders in their 40s-50s. A co-occurrence network analysis of the offenders' statements also supported these findings. This study revealed the necessity of providing adequate support for each type (e.g. local community collaboration for Type 2 and workplace support for Type 3).
Elder domestic violence (EDV) is a prevalent yet underreported public health concern. Psychological resources such as social, emotional, and spiritual intelligence remain poorly studied as protective factors, especially in Middle Eastern settings. This study examined the associations between these intelligence domains and EDV among older adults in northern Iran. A cross-sectional study included 406 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from urban and rural health centers in Mazandaran Province. Data were collected using standardized measures and analyzed using negative binomial regression. Only social intelligence was inversely associated with EDV (IRR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98, p<0.001). Financial dependence (IRR=1.81), ≥4 chronic conditions (IRR=1.92), and lower education increased EDV risk, while older age was protective (IRR=0.97). The model explained 8.1% of EDV variance. Higher social intelligence was linked to lower EDV, suggesting that programs enhancing interpersonal skills and autonomy may reduce vulnerability.
This study presents an overview of official elder abuse data for US states and is the first to assess county-level predictors of elder abuse and neglect through the lens of social disorganization theory. Five years of official elder abuse and neglect, violent crime, and property crime data from three midwestern states, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri, were aggregated and studied to determine whether the same factors that predict violent and property crime are useful for understanding variation in elder abuse. Results indicate concentrated disadvantage is a consistent explanatory variable, and variables measuring characteristics of the entire county population are better for modeling elder abuse counts than variables measuring characteristics of the elderly population. These findings indicate partial support for social disorganization theory and suggest policies developed to reduce crime by lessening concentrated disadvantage may have benefits for reducing elder abuse prevalence.
Abuse of older adults with dementia is a public health and human rights concern. To find out the caregiver burden, caregiver perpetrated abuse toward people living with dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and to explore the abusive behaviors exhibited by people living with dementia toward their caregivers. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 informal caregivers and people living with dementia in South India. Majority of caregivers reported engaging in some form of potentially abusive behavior. Over half of the caregivers reported experiencing abusive behavior from a person with dementia. A statistically significant association was observed between abuse exhibited by persons living with dementia and abusive behavior by caregivers, indicating the presence of bidirectional abuse within dementia caregiving dyads. Effective BPSD management and structured caregiver support interventions are critical to reduce bidirectional abuse and promoting well-being among both caregivers and people living with dementia.Clinical trial registration number: CTRI/2021/10/037535.
Without a dedicated federal funding stream and evidence-based practices, state adult protective services (APS) programs developed with a wide variation in policies and practices based on the influence of adjacent systems, the state culture for human services, and community needs. Using data from a recent national evaluation of APS programs, this study used principal component analysis and cluster analysis to examine whether APS programs can be categorized by the level of their implementation of investigation and quality assurance (QA) policy and practices. To further understand factors that may contribute to program quality and consistency, we compared these clusters on their state characteristics, APS program administrative structures, and system-level outcomes. Recently adopted federal regulations require a greater degree of standardization for APS programs, and as new federal funding is used for program improvement, findings suggest opportunities for APS programs to improve by adopting additional investigatory and QA practices.
Elder mistreatment is an emerging public health concern in ageing societies, yet national evidence from India on its chronic and multiple forms is limited. Using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 (2017-18), this study examines the prevalence, chronicity, and multiplicity of mistreatment and their associations with health outcomes among 30,760 adults aged 60 years and above. Multivariate analyses show that 5.2% of older adults experienced mistreatment, with women reporting higher prevalence, greater chronicity, and more multiple forms than men. Any, frequent, and multiple mistreatments were associated with higher depressive symptoms, poorer self-rated health, greater morbidity, and increased ADL and IADL limitations, with stronger effects among women. Cognitive functioning was adversely affected only in cases of frequent mistreatment. These findings indicate that elder mistreatment in India is often chronic and multidimensional, with pronounced gendered health consequences, underscoring the need for early screening and gender-sensitive interventions.
While a significant body of literature exists documenting the increased rates of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence after an environmental hazard, there is limited knowledge as to how these hazards impact elder mistreatment. Given rapid population aging and the worsening severity of hazards, exploring the role these hazards have on elder mistreatment represents a pressing issue. The purpose of this commentary is to (1) review the literature regarding the direct and indirect impacts of hazards on elder mistreatment and (2) propose recommendations to respond to post-hazard elder mistreatment.
Elder mistreatment is a significant public health concern shaped by both relational and social factors. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner's ecological model and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST), this study analyzed data from waves 1 and 3 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project with 1,219 older adults without experience mistreatment. at wave 1. Logistic regression models assessed the associations between relationship quality with close others (i.e. spouse/partner, family, and friends; characterized as strained or supportive) and social factors (i.e. social engagement, loneliness) at wave 1 and subsequent mistreatment assessed at wave 3 across physical, psychological, and financial abuse. Findings showed that while social engagement was not significantly associated with mistreatment, relationship strain was positively associated with all type of mistreatment, and supportive support was associated with psychological mistreatment. Loneliness was initially associated with lower likelihood of mistreatment, though this association was weakened when accounting for relationship quality. These highlight relationship quality as a key factor in mistreatment risk, suggesting interventions should prioritize interpersonal dynamics alongside broader social engagement.
Older adults are disproportionately affected by fraud. While prior research has focused on the constructs and severity of vulnerability to fraud (VTF), no study has yet examined its network structure. This study used network analysis to conceptualize VTF as a system of interacting characteristics among 579 older adults (M = 68.29 years). Core characteristics included purchasing dubious investment products, listening to sales pitches, expecting to talk to strangers, and being persuaded to purchase unnecessary items. The network demonstrated stability and accuracy. Notably, these core characteristics and their inter-relationships did not vary by gender. These findings suggest that interventions targeting these core characteristics may inform the development of more effective strategies to protect older adults from fraud.
This exploratory study investigates elder abuse from the perspective of self‑identified victims in Türkiye's Western Mediterranean Region, examining abuse types, perpetrator profiles, and help‑seeking. Using an embedded - convergent mixed‑methods design, we recruited 43 community‑dwelling adults aged 65+ who reported abuse. Analyses integrated quantitative frequencies with qualitative accounts to contextualize patterns and lived experiences. Abuse most often involved financial exploitation (n = 37) and psychological abuse (n = 21). Perpetrators were commonly strangers (n = 16) and immediate family members (n = 10), followed by neighbors and other relatives. Most participants (n = 37) sought assistance from one or more sources after victimization, often combining informal and formal avenues. Findings underscore the need for stronger state‑supported security measures, public education, and accessible psychosocial services to prevent revictimization, strengthen protective networks, and mitigate harms in later life. Coordinated intersectoral responses, sensitive outreach, and capacity building for providers are recommended, and longitudinal research should track outcomes and identify protective factors.
This study aimed to investigate the association between frailty and self-neglect and to examine the mediating roles of social networks and depression in this relationship among community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, with a sample of 521 individuals aged 60 years and older recruited from community settings between July 2021 and February 2022. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Amos 21.0. Structural equation modeling revealed that physical frailty (PE = 0.054) and cognitive frailty (PE = 0.148) were directly associated with self-neglect, as well as indirectly linked through pathways involving social networks and depression. In contrast, overall frailty, psychological frailty, and social frailty exhibited only indirect associations with self-neglect, operating exclusively through these mediators. These findings underscore the importance of early identification of frailty and targeted interventions to strengthen social networks and address depressive symptoms, which may significantly improve the management of self-neglect and enhance well-being in aging populations.
Elder abuse affects nearly 15% of older Australians, with those living with dementia at increased risk. This study explored how Australian health care providers identify and respond to different types of elder abuse using six hypothetical vignettes. An online cross-sectional survey (N = 130) evaluated identification and response to instances of elder abuse among geriatricians, general practitioners, and nurse practitioners. Rates of accurate identification were highest for physical (94.3%) and psychological abuse (91.5%), followed by sexual abuse (76.1%), neglect (72.3%), and financial abuse (72%). While most participants provided an appropriate response to psychological abuse, neglect, and financial abuse (100%, 100%, 97.8%), fewer reported an appropriate response to physical (37%) and sexual (67%) abuse. Older age was associated with lower identification accuracy for psychological and physical abuse. General practitioners were more likely to correctly identify neglect. Findings highlight important knowledge and response gaps, underscoring the need for targeted education and training.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a board game on the level of knowledge among nursing students about older people neglect and abuse. This randomized controlled study included an experimental group that received a board game intervention and a control group that participated in case study discussions. Before the intervention, all students received a brief theoretical training on elder neglect and abuse. The Older People Neglect and Abuse Knowledge Test was used to collect data. The mean knowledge scores of nursing students in both groups increased after the intervention. The experimental group showed a significantly greater improvement in knowledge (pretest = 19.51 ± 1.8; posttest = 22.65 ± 1.5; d = 1.89) compared to the control group (pretest = 20.00 ± 2.6; posttest = 21.42 ± 2.2; d = 0.58) (p = .049, d = 0.65). Case studies and board games are both effective in increasing students' level of knowledge about older people abuse.
This study examines the experiences of Mongolian family physicians in detecting elder abuse during medical encounters with older patients. Using thematic analysis, the study explores how physicians become aware of and respond to incidents of elder abuse. A total of 24 family physicians participated in semi-structured interviews. Four core themes, (1) encounters with elder abuse cases, (2) mechanisms of detection, (3) means of assistance, and (4) barriers to taking action, emerged from the analysis. The findings suggest that frequent interactions with older patients significantly influence physicians' overall identification of potential victims of elder abuse during their medical practice in primary care settings. The strategies used to assist potential victims during medical encounters vary widely. Barriers to reporting elder abuse cases are related to institutions, physicians, and patients. Significant measures for prevention of elder abuse in primary health care settings in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, are recommended.
Filial piety, a traditional value that dominates the family structure in many societies, plays a significant role in the well-being of the geriatric population. The gravity of a healthy filial relation is weighed out in the existing literature, by highlighting correlations with the onset of depression, loneliness, low life-satisfaction and suicidal tendencies. Grounded in the expectations of respect, care and obedience, these values have been challenged by the changing family dynamics of the modern world. This commentary explores how such discrepancies could instill a perception of neglect and abuse among the older population, thereby affecting their quality of life.
Growing research evidence has shown that grandparents who provide care to their grandchildren as kinship caregivers (termed grandparent kinship care) experience several challenges, including abuse by the children in their care. We argue that grandmother kinship caregivers in Ghana may be subjected to severe and continuous abuse due to the legitimacy of myths about witchcraft accusations against older people. Following narrative interviews with 31 grandmother kinship caregivers in Ghana, who have experienced abuse and harm from children in their care, we found that the grandmothers used physical punishment and discipline, neglect, and other violence strategies to control and mitigate abusive behaviors of the children in their care. Grandmothers need protection from abuse; thus, we recommend the development of parenting programs to enable grandparent kinship caregivers to develop skills to protect themselves and prevent future harm by children in their care.
