Elder Maltreatment: Prevention Strategies

Elder maltreatment is a serious problem that can have harmful effects on victims. The goal for elder maltreatment prevention is simple: to stop it from happening in the first place. However, the solutions are as complex as the problem.

Knowledge about what works to prevent elder maltreatment is growing. However, most prevention strategies and practices have not yet been rigorously evaluated to determine their effectiveness. In the absence of proven prevention strategies, program planners may wish to consider the following sources to strengthen their approach.

Prevention Principles

• Applying the Principles of Prevention: What do Prevention Practitioners Need to Know About What Works [PDF 196 KB]
• Nation M, Crusto C, Wandersman A, Kumpfer K, Seybolt D, Morrissey-Kane E, et al. What works in prevention: principles of effective prevention programs. Am Psychol;2003;58(6/7):449–456.

Relevant Publications

• Anderson, J and Mangels, NJ. Helping victims: Social services, Health Care Interventions in Elder Abuse. In Summers, RW and Hoffman, AM editors. Elder Abuse: A Public Health Perspective. p. 139-166.
• Anetzberger G, Palmisano BR, Eckert S, Schimer MR. 2000. A model intervention for elder abuse and dementia. Gerontologist;40(4):492–497.
• Butchart A, Phinney A, Check P, Villaveces A. 2004. Preventing violence: a guide to implementing the recommendations of the world report on violence and health. Geneva: Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention, World Health Organization.
• Daly JM. 2004. Elder abuse prevention. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, Research Dissemination Core.
• National Center for Elder Abuse. 2002. Preventing elder abuse by family caregivers.
• Nerenberg L. 2007. Elder abuse prevention: emerging trends and promising strategies. New York, NY: Springer.
• Payne BK and Fletcher LB. 2005. Elder abuse in nursing homes: prevention and resolution strategies and barriers. J Crim Justice;33(2):119–125.
• Pillemer KA, Mueller-Johnson KU, Mock SE, Suitor JJ, Lachs MS. 2007. Interventions to prevent elder maltreatment. In: Doll L, Bonzo S, Sleet D, Mercy J,  Hass E, editors. Handbook of injury and violence prevention. New York, NY: Springer. p. 241–256.
• Wolf R, Daichman L, Bennett G. 2002. Abuse of the elderly. In: Krug E, Dahlberg L, Mercy J, Zwi A, Lozano R, editors. World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva: World Health Organization. p. 123–146.

Other Resources

• Violence Prevention Evidence Base
  This database, developed by The Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, provides access to abstracts from published studies that have measured the effectiveness of interventions to prevent violence. To be included in the database, studies must have measured the impact of interventions directly on violence. Studies have been selected through a systematic review of published academic literature. The abstracts can be searched by violence type, keywords, and geographical area of implementation.