Hwalek et al. (1996)

Design: Descriptive

Method: Database analysis

Measure: Risk of Future Abuse instrument

Sample: State of Illinois Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Tracking System; 2,577 cases from October 1989 to December 1991. 552 substantiated reports used for this study

73% of victims were women.

Mean age 77 (60-99).

Caucasian 73%; widowed 54%; living at home 76%.

Caregiver substance abuse more likely to involve physical or emotional abuse.

Jogerst et al. (2000)

Design: Descriptive

Method: Analysis of county-level data between 1984 and 1993 to test association between county characteristics and rates of elder abuse

Sample: 99 counties in Iowa

Analysis: univariate correlational analysis and stagewise linear regression

Community characteristics that had a positive association with rates of reported or substantiated elder mistreatment were: (1) population density; (2) children in poverty; (3) reported child abuse.

Jones et al. (1997)

Design: Descriptive

Method: Random sample survey

Sample: 3,000 members of the American College of Emergency Physicians; 705 completed surveys (response rate 24%)

52% of respondents described elder mistreatment as prevalent but less than spouse or child abuse.

Respondents evaluated a mean of 4 ± 8 suspected cases of elder mistreatment in the last 12 months; 50% were reported.

Lachs et al. (1994)

Design: Prospective cohort study

Method: Case matching with adult protective services database

Sample: 329 elders investigated in 1985 and 1986

Analysis: Relative risk calculations

68 (2.4%) of database cohort members received ombudsman investigation. Risk factors for elder mistreatment investigation using logistic regression included requiring assistance with feeding OR 3.5, being a minority elder OR 2.3, over age 75 at cohort inception OR 1.9, and poor social networks OR 1.7.