Abuse of Elders with Mental Illness: Generally an International and Specifically a United States Perspective

James T. R. Jones, Abuse of Elders with Mental Illness: Generally an International and Specifically a United States Perspective, in International and Comparative Law on the Rights of Older Persons 303-32 (Ralph Ruebner et al. eds., 2015)

University of Louisville School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2015-20

32 Pages Posted: 7 Jul 2015 Last revised: 6 Apr 2016

See all articles by James T. R. Jones

James T. R. Jones

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Date Written: July 2, 2015

Abstract

Elder abuse is a major international problem, and scandal. It is so important that both the United Nations (“UN”) and the World Health Organization (“WHO”) have focused on it. Elder abuse occurs in a variety of ways. It can be physical abuse due to either active injury or passive neglect. It can be psychological abuse through fear and intimidation. It can be financial abuse due to theft or fraud. Abusers can be strangers; healthcare workers, too often in nursing home settings; and spouses, partners, children, grandchildren, or other relatives. Abusers may be motivated by cruelty, laziness, or greed for quick profit or a premature inheritance.

While all elders can be abused, those with mental illness are particularly vulnerable. This group can encompass both those with longstanding mental illnesses such as major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder and those psychiatrically debilitated by age, notably including those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Victims may be living in private residential settings both alone and with family or friends or in institutions such as nursing homes.

This chapter gives a brief overview of elder abuse and then focuses on the victim population of those vulnerable because of mental illness and how they face abuse. It discusses possible ways to reduce the incidence of abuse of those with psychiatric conditions including, among other things, mandatory abuse reporting and enhanced focus on the problem by government, in particular law enforcement, authorities and primary care and mental health care providers.

Keywords: elder abuse, pyschological abuse, financial abuse, mental illness, health care, United Nations, World Health Organization

JEL Classification: K32, I1, I18

Suggested Citation

Jones, James T. R., Abuse of Elders with Mental Illness: Generally an International and Specifically a United States Perspective (July 2, 2015). James T. R. Jones, Abuse of Elders with Mental Illness: Generally an International and Specifically a United States Perspective, in International and Comparative Law on the Rights of Older Persons 303-32 (Ralph Ruebner et al. eds., 2015), University of Louisville School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2015-20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2626111

James T. R. Jones (Contact Author)

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law ( email )

Wilson W. Wyatt Hall
Louisville, KY 40292
United States
502-852-6973 (Phone)
502-852-0862 (Fax)

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