title: Working at the frontline in cases of elder abuse: 'it keeps me awake at night'.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of frontline health and welfare practitioners in working with older people experiencing abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews with 16 Tasmanian community-based health and welfare practitioners regarding their experiences of working in 49 recent cases of elder abuse. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants found working in cases of elder abuse challenging and the work itself was perceived as difficult, complex and at times dangerous. The cumulative effect of intimidating work contexts, practice dilemmas and a lack of support resulted in frustration and stress for many practitioners. Nevertheless, participants were committed to providing ongoing services and support for older people experiencing abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frontline practitioners working in cases of elder abuse face significant challenges and could be better supported through strengthening organisational elder abuse policies, increased management support and more age-inclusive family violence support services.
authors: School of Sociology and Social Work, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Cairns
authors: Anthea
authors: A
authors: Vreugdenhil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013648:Tasmania / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: abuse; elder abuse; home-care service; older people