The epidemiology of violence against the elderly: Implications for primary and secondary prevention

Although the elderly are generally less likely to become the victims of violent crime compared to younger cohorts, they have unique and somewhat alarming patterns of victimization. This article examines the extant literature on elderly victimization and presents homicide data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports and robbery and assault data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to illuminate the idiosyncratic vulnerabilities elderly individuals have to violence compared to their younger counterparts. In addition, research examining violence that occurs in nursing homes as the result of staff-to-patient assaults and resident-to-resident assaults is also highlighted. Policies aimed at both primary and secondary prevention of violence against the elderly are discussed.