Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Who Are the Abusers?

The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study, which examined elder abuse outside institutional settings, found that in 90 percent of the reported cases in which the abuser was known, the abuser was a family member. ref^, ref Looking more closely, the elder abuse perpetrators were:

• Adult child of aging parent -- 47 percent
• Spouse -- 19 percent
• Grandchild -- 9 percent
• Family relative -- 9 percent
• Sibling -- 6 percent
• Friend, neighbor, or inhome or out-of-home service provider -- 10 percent

In institutions, a staff member, another resident, intruder, visitor, or family member may be the abuser.