The author contends that categorical responses to elder abuse, such as establishing a specific social service or law enforcement measure, pose certain problems. First, there is no consensus or reliable data on the effectiveness of alternative responses to elder abuse. Second, many responses are based on a false analogy to the child abuse problem. Categorical approaches tend to define the abuse element as the central problem in what often turns out to be a very complicated situation. Finally, programs, policies, and laws defined in terms of elder abuse establish a separate set of public responses based on age to problems that are shared by many nonelderly people. Questioning the utility of mandatory reporting laws which seriously compromise the privileged relationship between client and practitioner, the author argues for a comprehensive set of services which can respond to all the frail elderly's needs. 19 endnotes.