title: Understanding "elder abuse and neglect": a critique of assumptions underpinning responses to the mistreatment and neglect of older people.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the ways in which the mistreatment and neglect of older people have come to be understood as a social problem, one which is underpinned by a variety of substantive and theoretical assumptions. It connects the process of conceptualizing elder abuse and neglect to political-economic and social evolution. The authors draw on a review of the literature, government sources, interest group websites, and their own research to provide a critical commentary illustrating how these understandings have become manifest in legislation, policies, and programs pertaining to "elder abuse and neglect" in Canada. Suggestions are provided for changes in direction for policies, programs, and research.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work , Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. joan.harbison@dal.ca
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harbison
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karabanow
authors.forename: Madine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanderplaat
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wildeman
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wexler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*