Elder Abuse and Adult Safeguarding in UK

This chapter will provide an overview of elder abuse, with a particular focus on the UK. The issues and developments that have occurred globally will be briefly explored. Over the last ten years, there has been increasing global recognition of the abuse and neglect of older adults as a social problem in need of attention. The UK was one of the earliest of European countries to undertake work in this area. However, the identification of abuse remains somewhat problematic and defining abuse remains difficult, perhaps even more so when the abuse occurs within an institutional setting. Techniques of intervention with victims of abuse and those who abuse are in comparatively early stages of development, although in recent years there has been progress in the production of policies and procedures for healthcare and social care professionals. A number of national and international organisations have been established to respond to abuse and abusive situations; there are differences between different nations of the UK in how abuse is responded to. Various research initiatives are underway. Education and training for professionals is taking place concerning recognition and awareness of abuse and intervention skills. This chapter aims to examine some of the pertinent issues from a UK context. Responses to the problem of elder abuse will be explored with a concentration on techniques of intervention from a UK perspective, together with some exploration of a number of prevention strategies. Possible future developments and the potential for international action to resolve this problem will be considered.