Part 1 presents an overview of old-age family conflict from historical, literary, psychological, and sociological perspectives. Specific topics explored include love-hate relationships between elders and children in legend and literature, definitions of neglect, burdens on caregivers, and intergenerational relations between men. Part 2 specifically addresses elder abuse and neglect, surveying the state-of-the-art of research and examining major theories advanced to explain why some elders are abused by their adult children. Part 3 focuses on intervention models and elder abuse policy. A family-oriented therapy approach is described, as are ways to relieve the caregiver's burden through organized home care services. Other responses examined include voluntary, mutual aid projects and intervention strategies based on balancing the individual's level of competence with the environment's demands. A final policy essay questions the effectiveness of responding to elder abuse with categorical programs and legislation. Chapter endnotes, tables, figures, and an index.