Elder abuse and insecurity among older people: a mixed analysis of experiences, perceptions and preventive strategies

Purpose This study aims to explore the concrete experiences of elder abuse and perceived insecurity and to elicit older adults’ own preventive proposals in light of the persistent vulnerabilities of ageing populations and the urgent need for comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that enhance safety and contribute to the goal of achieving truly age-friendly cities. Design/methodology/approach Convergent parallel mixed-methods study with a convenience sample of 69 community-dwelling adults aged = 60 years. Semi-structured interviews combined the elder abuse suspicion index (EASI) with ad hoc insecurity scales; quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using SPSS and ATLAS.ti. Findings Ten percent of participants reported personal humiliation or threats in the previous year and 19% knew of recent abuse cases – mostly physical and psychological. Women experienced a significantly higher daily impact of insecurity, especially fear of robbery and online fraud. Proposed solutions centred on stronger police presence, age-friendly urban design and community awareness campaigns and reinforced social support networks. Research limitations/implications The small, non-probabilistic sample limits generalisability. Future research should test the proposed measures in larger and more diverse cohorts. Practical implications Results offer local authorities low-cost, community-driven interventions to curb elder abuse and fear of crime. Social implications Integrating older adults’ perspectives can foster safer, more inclusive environments as well as enhance well-being in ageing societies. Originality/value This study foregrounds older adults as co-designers of safety policies, combining prevalence estimates with participant-generated strategies for prevention.