ABSTRACT
In trying to understand why elder mistreatment occurs, researchers have turned to the child-abuse, family-violence, psychological, sociological, and gerontological literature for guidance. From the earlier depiction of elder abuse as a very dependent and impaired elderly woman mistreated by a well-meaning, but overburdened adult-child caregiver, the concept evolved into a much more complex set of players and relationships. Neglect cases often involve a very old victim with cognitive and functional impairments and little social support. The perpetrators neither have psychological problems nor were financially dependent on the victim. One of the first treatment strategies for elder abuse is the elder abuse diagnosis and intervention model of M. J. Quinn and S. Tomita. Although a single case study, the subject matter lends itself to some thoughts about the future of elder-abuse treatment programs and practice. Elder-abuse cases are particularly troublesome, and sometimes dangerous, for practitioners.
