Author Description

This scoping study reviews the literature on the definition and prevention of elder abuse. It investigates how elder abuse is conceptualised across different dimensions and settings, risk factors for abuse, what mechanisms and interventions have been used to ameliorate abuse, how effective these interventions have been, and current Australian state and territory policy. The study focuses on abuse by family members and close friends, and prevention efforts within the family setting rather than broader community or professional campaigns or schemes. The study finds that while the term 'elder abuse' is useful to describe a broad range of behaviours the actions required to address this social problem are many and varied, and blanket approaches are unlikely to be successful.