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Duty Bound: Elder Abuse and Family Care

NCJ Number
113407
Author(s)
S K Steinmetz
Date Published
1988
Length
288 pages
Annotation
Two groups of caregivers were surveyed to determine the impact that caring for elderly relatives had on the lives of middle-aged and older caregivers and to determine if increased levels of stress, dependency, and feelings of being burdened increased the possibility of elder abuse.
Abstract
The first group of 104 caregivers providing care to 119 elderly relatives was interviewed in depth. The second group consisted of 153 service providers responding to questionnaires on the general characteristics of abused elders. Ninety-five percent of the families surveyed were white and 77 percent were maritally intact. The elderly relatives cared for by the families studied ranged in age from 59 to 103. Many caregivers reported high levels of stress in caring for elderly relatives. They also reported that in stressful situations, it was often difficult to determine whether a caregiver or the elderly relative perpetrated psychological or physical abuse. Statistical data are included on the caregiving families in the study. The study emphasizes the need for alternative methods of caring for elderly parents and for social policies that ensure the elderly a dignified and healthy environment in which to live out their lives. 3 appendixes. 188 references.

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