U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

After Older Adult Maltreatment: Service Needs and Barriers

NCJ Number
302911
Journal
Journal of Gerontological Social Work Volume: 62 Issue: 7 Dated: 2019 Pages: 749-761
Author(s)
J. M. Olomi; et al
Date Published
2019
Length
13 pages
Annotation

Since limited research is available specific to the service needs or related barriers of maltreated older adults, the current study asked at-risk older adults directly for their perspectives on service needs and barriers.

 

Abstract

As part of a larger study, a sample of 40 diverse older adults (M age = 76 years) were recruited from the population of older adults who were involved in an abuse, neglect, and/or financial exploitation case where the offender was in a position of trust to the victim. Responses to open-ended questions about participants’ service needs and reasons for not seeking services were thematically coded. Most of the older adults expressed their need for more help than currently received, with needs including transportation, housing, food, household assistance, and medical and mental health care. Participants also described reasons their service needs were not being met. The study elaborates on the specifics and descriptive statistics of the themes that emerged. Implications for older-adult victim services, as well as broader older-adult services, are discussed. (publisher abstract modified)