The abuse of the elderly within the private family setting is often difficult to detect by outsiders; the absence of an older, dependent, often sick or handicapped woman can easily be attributed to illness. The three categories of elder abuse -- physical, psychological, and economic -- can include criminal assault or simple neglectful behavior. The most likely abuser is the son of the victim, followed by the daughter, and then the spouse of the victim. Feelings of frustration and conflict about the dependent parent, economic hardships, stress over high medical and health costs, the changing status of various family members, substance or marital problems, generational patterns of abuse and violence, and the complexities of the aging process itself all contribute to the grannybashing problems. Education, legislation, and even intervention are recommended ways to prevent elder abuse. 24 references.