Crime and elder issues, problems and practical responses

Abstract

Since the 1970s there has been an increase in concern about older people as victims of crime. Older people, in a similar manner as other groups in the population, are at risk from four main sources: family members, friends and acquaintances, who may assault or steal from them; strangers who may victimise them; commercial organisations or "white collar" criminals who could defraud them; and carers with whom they are in a "duty of care" relationship and who may neglect or abuse them. Abuse here refers to physical, psychological, sexual and financial.