Abstract
Adults over the age of 65 are a vulnerable population, particularly those who are dependent, frail, socially isolated, or experiencing mental stress, physical illness, or cognitive impairment (CI). Older adults (OA) may be vulnerable to elder abuse (EA) through physical harm, psychological intimidation, or other forms of exploitation. Victims of EA experience negative impacts on mental health, physical health, quality of life, and longevity. EA is commonly committed in order to benefit the perpetrator through financial exploitation (FE) or by the unburdening of obligations. Perpetrators often employ undue influence (UI) over one or more of the OA’s vital decision-making capacities (DC): self-care and self-protective, medical, contractual, and financial. This type of violence may be direct or indirect and is often carried out by someone close to the OA. Tools are available to aid in conducting UI, FE, and DC assessments. Strategies for enhancing protection of OA from EA are also presented.
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Abbreviations
- apps:
-
Applications (in reference to those used on mobile electronic devices)
- CI:
-
Cognitive impairment(s)
- CUIST:
-
California Undue Influence Screening Tool
- DC:
-
Decision-making capacity/capacities
- EA:
-
Elder abuse
- FCAT:
-
Financial Capacity Assessment Tool
- FE:
-
Financial exploitation
- OA:
-
Older adult(s)
- UI:
-
Undue influence
- UK:
-
United Kingdom
- US:
-
United States (of America)
- WHO:
-
World Health Organization
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Greene, A.J. (2023). Elder Abuse and Violence: Undue Influence and Vital Decision-Making Capacities. In: Martin, C.R., Preedy, V.R., Patel, V.B. (eds) Handbook of Anger, Aggression, and Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31547-3_169
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