ABSTRACT
The abuse of older people, whether by members of their families or by others in their immediate surroundings, is a relatively recent occurrence in contemporary society (Ogg & Munn-Giddings, 1993; Penhale & Kingston, 1995). The rise of this phenomenon is believed to be due, at least partly, to processes of modernization through which members of the elderly cohort are marginalized and excluded from the day-to-day societal discourse (Kosberg & Garcia, 1995; Nagpaul, 1997; Su & Ferraro, 1997). Disempowered and socially insignifi cant, elderly people can become increasingly vulnerable to the perils of victimization, abuse, and neglect.
