An exploratory study of abuse among frail elders using services in a small village in Japan.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the presence and form of elder abuse and to identify associated risk factors for abuse in a small sample of frail elders using support services in a suburban community in Japan.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The participants were all frail elderly (n = 78) among a sample of persons aged 60 or older (n = 1,134) in an agricultural village on the main island of Japan.

RESULTS

The key results were that 17.9% were categorized as being abused, with psychological abuse, neglect, and financial abuse being the most common forms.

IMPLICATIONS

Cultural factors may impact who an abuser is, but the contributing factors in this Japanese sample do not significantly differ from results found in other countries. Preventive strategies need to be targeted at multiple levels.