Publication Date: November 18th, 2024
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Aging, Health Disparities and Health Equity, Public Health, Social Determinants of Health, Violence and abuse
Author(s): Lahr M, Fritz AH, Jacobson I, DeLiema M, and Henning-Smith C
Elder abuse is a complex and challenging problem experienced by approximately 1 in 10 U.S. older adults. Elder abuse encompasses physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and self-neglect. Elder abuse in rural communities is a research topic of growing interest internationally, but U.S.-based research on the subject remains limited.
Addressing the needs of older adults in rural communities requires dedicated and collaborative attention from leaders and organizations across sectors. Previous research has pointed to multidisciplinary teams, in which multiple agencies collaborate to respond to elder abuse, as the best strategy for addressing elder abuse in rural areas. Triads are one such example, functioning as community-driven partnerships between law enforcement, older adults, and community organizations (such as Area Agencies on Aging and other social service-related groups), with the goal of reducing both crime and the fear of crime among older adults. This brief shares results from key informant interviews with representatives of rural Triads, multi-sectoral community-based partnerships that address elder abuse, to illuminate rural-specific dimensions of this issue.