A profile of elder abuse and neglect in Tennessee

The purpose of this study was to survey elder abuse cases reported to the Tennessee Department of Human Services and develop a profile of elder abuse for the state of Tennessee. This investigation looked at information compiled by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and used the Department's questionnaire on closed adult protective service cases as the instrument for data collection.

The study population consisted of 207 cases of reported abuse to individuals aged 60 and older. The investigation sought to determine demographic characteristics of the abused, perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect, types of abuse that occur and any existence of relationships in elder abuse and neglect between urban and rural counties and eastern and western counties.

The information supplied the investigator on computer diskette by the Tennessee Department of Human Services was deemed valid at the five percent level of significance by employing a validity and proportions test. Tests of central tendencies were used to analyze the data and answer the research questions involved in the investigation.

It was found that the typical abused elder in Tennessee is a white female 76 years old who lives alone or with relatives and obtains most of her income from social security. However, when geographical considerations are taken into account, a black female has the same chance as a white female of being abused in western and urban counties. Neglect and self-neglect are the most common types of abuse and the elder victim is most often the perpetrator.

It is recommended that additional study be undertaken to further define neglect and to provide educational opportunities to learn more in areas of assessing, interviewing and reporting neglect.