A Human Rights-based Approach to Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abstract

Not only is elder abuse and neglect a threat to the health and welfare of older people, but it is also a violation of their human rights and dignity. The purpose of this article is to discuss the issue of elder mistreatment with reference to human rights and dignity. Recognising elder mistreatment as the issue associated with human rights means that every nation has the responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of older people from any harm and violence. The concept of three generations of human rights is critically used to analyse elder abuse and neglect into three different categories. An empowerment perspective is considered as an important approach to tackling the problem of elder mistreatment. A family justice perspective is also presented as an effective tools to develop appropriate strategies for preventing and responding to elder abuse and neglect in both domestic and institutional settings.