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UK study into the abuse and neglect of older people

The "UK study into the abuse and neglect of older people" is a survey produced by Kings College London and the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of Comic Relief and the Department of Health.

The survey provides estimates of elder abuse and neglect within the community. It was felt that the survey was necessary because there was an absence of statistical evidence concerning this subject.

Main findings of the survey

• Overall, 2.6% of people aged 66 (227,000 people, around one in forty of the older population) and over living in private households (including sheltered housing) reported that they had experienced mistreatment involving a family member, friend, or care worker during the past year.
• This percentage increases to 4.0% (342,400 people) if it includes incidents involving neighbours and acquaintances.
• The predominant type of mistreatment reported was neglect (1.1%), followed by financial abuse (0.7%). The prevalence of psychological and physical abuse was similar (both 0.4%), and sexual abuse (reported cases were of harassment) was the least reported type (0.2%).
• Women were more likely to say that they had experienced mistreatment than men (3.8% of women and 1.1% of men).
• 51% of mistreatment in the past year involved a spouse/partner, 49% another family member, 13% a care worker and 5% a close friend. (Respondents could mention more than one person.)

Other related reports

The second report of the House of Commons Health Select Committee, published 20 April 2004, concerned elder abuse. In its response to the report the Government recommended the the Department of Health commission a survey into the scale of elder abuse.

More information

• action on elder abuse - link to website
• other policy and research documents
• second report of the house of commons health select committee - link to the report and the Government's response
• uk study into the abuse and neglect of older people - link to full report, summary and press release

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