International Perspectives on Elder Abuse (Routledge Advances in Health and Social Policy)

Elder abuse has been increasingly recognised over the past ten years in many countries and progress has been made in both understanding and addressing the issue. This volume provides a much-needed international overview of the topic.

Opening with an examination of what elder abuse is, Amanda Phelan sets it in a theoretical context and looks at assessment and approaches to the issue in residential and community care environments. The book then presents a range of country studies, which provide an overview of the context of elder abuse in the country and a discussion of related policy, legislation, research and practice. Countries covered include Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain, China, Australia, Kenya, Israel, Canada and the United States, whilst a regional chapter looks at South America. A concluding chapter draws together cross-cultural comparisons and provides some guidance as to best practice.

The only comprehensive book in this area, International Perspectives on Elder Abuse is an invaluable reference for practitioners, academics and researchers from a range of disciplines, including nursing, social work, sociology, public health and social policy.

Amanda Phelan is Subject Head of Older Persons’ Nursing in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin and Co-Director of the UCD National Centre for the Protection of Older People. She is also the national representative for the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and secretary for the All Ireland Gerontological Nurses’ Association.