Premium
Staff conceptualisations of elder abuse in residential aged care: A rapid review
Author(s) -
Radermacher Harriet,
Toh Ying Li,
Western Deborah,
Coles Jan,
Goeman Dianne,
Lowthian Judy
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12565
Subject(s) - elder abuse , residential care , verbal abuse , psychological intervention , aged care , medicine , vulnerable adult , psychology , gerontology , suicide prevention , psychiatry , poison control , medical emergency
Objective The purpose of this rapid review was to explore how residential aged care staff conceptualise and identify elder abuse. Methods English‐language publications, between 2000 and 2017, about elder abuse in residential aged care in developed countries were sought from three academic databases. Only perspectives on staff‐to‐resident and resident‐to‐resident abuse were included. Results Over 2000 articles were screened, and 19 journal articles were included in the review. A wide range of abusive behaviours was identified, but there was little common understanding of what constituted elder abuse. Furthermore, disparities in conceptualisations were greater for certain types of abuse (e.g. verbal, psychological and caregiving). Conclusion Elder abuse in residential aged care was conceptualised and identified by staff in diverse and different ways. This lack of common understanding hinders the development of effective interventions and prevention strategies, which include staff education and training as well as significant structural and institutional changes.