Breaking the Silence on Older Caregivers and Abuse

Most research on elder mistreatment identifies abusers by relationship (e.g., spouse, child), age cohort, or role (e.g., caregiver, non-caregiver), although it is not typical for all of those identifiers to be reported together. This article provides information on the prevalence of mistreatment of older adults and adults with disabilities; the prevalence of older adults as abusers (whether or not they are in a caregiving role); the types of mistreatment perpetrated by older adults; the prevalence and characteristics of caregivers who abuse (regardless of age); and implications for practice.