TITLE:
Reactions to a Female Perpetrator of Neglect and Financial Elder Abuse
AUTHORS:
Nerina J. Caltabiano, Marie L. Caltabiano
KEYWORDS:
Elder Abuse, Carers, Financial Abuse, Neglect
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.6,
June
3,
2016
ABSTRACT: There is a paucity of Australian
research on elder abuse perpetrated by carers. Knowing how individuals would
respond to an elder abuse scenario can inform prevention and intervention
strategies. The objective of this study was to determine how undergraduate
university students enrolled in caring profession degrees respond to an elder
abuse scenario. The design of the study involved a paper-and-pencil survey
using an elder abuse scenario. Thirty-two undergraduate volunteer students
enrolled in a regional university participated in the study. Confronted with
the scenario, students would offer the elder physical support such as house
cleaning, they would recommend that the elder access government welfare
agencies, and consider moving to elder accommodation. They would recommend that
the carer get a job, clean the house and call tradespeople. Students enrolled
in caring profession degrees, irrespective of gender, were prepared to take
actions to improve the welfare of the abuse victim.