Reactions to a Female Perpetrator of Neglect and Financial Elder Abuse

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.