Perspectives on Elder Abuse and Mistreatment from Selected Countries and Regions: A Preamble

Abstract

This introductory chapter puts the issue of elder abuse and mistreatment as a social, legal and public health problem which is being addressed by various mechanisms and agencies in different countries of the world by referring to contributions made by international experts across the globe, but from selected countries. Classified as physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial abuse or exploitation, neglect, sexual abuse and self-neglect, elder abuse and mistreatment are now a recognizable serious concern in many parts of the world requiring responses from a legal, health, human rights and societal perspective to prevent, detect and manage it. Certain countries have taken concrete steps to combat and deal with the problem while some are in the process of streamlining their responses with the help of research and knowledge derived from different quarters and disciplines. The editor in this chapter discusses the past and latest developments in the field of study of elder abuse and mistreatment by giving her own observations and perspectives which provide a background for contributions to this volume and take the reader to reflect on various dimensions of this serious problem affecting all societies in both developed and developing world. The victims and perpetrators of elder abuse and mistreatment coming from families, institutions and community are seen to belong to both sexes, from all sections of the society irrespective of economic position, religious, ethnic affiliation and other divisions in society. The universal problem of elder abuse and mistreatment increasingly affecting ageing and aged societies is treated here as an issue requiring urgent attention and solution to combat it and reduce its incidence and prevalence.