Causes and Effects of the Non-Standardization of Elder Abuse Laws on Elder Abuse Reporting: A Historical Study

Abstract

The causes and effects of the non-standardization of elder abuse laws between states was explored in this historical study. The data was obtained from a review of literature beginning in the late 1970's, which was the time period that research studies began documenting abuse and neglect, to the present. By 1985, forty-eight states had enacted elder abuse laws; however, this legal response was far ahead of the research. Inadequate information concerning the nature, causes, and prevalence of elder abuse has led to non-standardization of state elder abuse reporting statutes. This non-standardization, in turn, has led to the development of an inadequate knowledge base on elder abuse due to definitional and penalty inconsistencies of state statutes, and controversy regarding the most effective method of elder abuse reporting. This is problematic in that a knowledge base regarding the nature, causes, and prevalence of elder abuse is urgently needed at this time to educate the public and professionals regarding the identification, prevention, and treatment of elder abuse to help prevent an increase in elder abuse as the aging population increases.