Review of Elder Abuse in South Korea Based on 15-year National Data

Elder abuse, any intentional or negligent act that causes harm, distress, or suffering to an adult aged 65 or older, has become a significant social issue in South Korea.Based on a 15-year nationwide report on elder abuse from 2008 to 2022, this study aims to thoroughly examine current trends and issues surrounding elder abuse.Three key issues emerged: 1) family members as primary perpetrators, 2) increases in elder abuse in nursing homes, and 3) co-occurrence of multiple types of elder abuse.To effectively address this growing concern and uphold the human rights of older individuals, six recommendations are proposed: 1) expanding employment opportunities for older adults, 2) addressing the reluctance to report elder abuse, 3) developing tailored strategies for preventing and addressing different types of elder abuse, 4) enhancing family education and therapy in elder abuse prevention, 5) providing elder abuse education for long-term care staff, and 6) improving monitoring systems for elder abuse prevention in nursing homes.This study provides a foundation for effective elder abuse prevention through policy measures aimed at addressing the human rights challenges associated with elder abuse.