The selected readings in the text reinforce the theoretical and empirical notion that elder abuse is a family affair and redefine the problem as a scientific concept of elder mistreatment. The editors aim “to illuminate causes and consequences of conflict between the aged and their relatives, and to present new research and theory regarding the problem of elder abuse”.
Wolf introduces new analytical frameworks to explain five types of abuse and their relationship to four causal factors. Pillemer illustrates caregiver and victim risk factors. The use of separate readings reflects the nonsystematic and isolated nature of research and policy efforts in the field to date, underscoring the strong methodological concern of the text.