Understanding and Combating Elder Abuse in Hispanic Communities

ABSTRACT

A knowledge of the conditions associated with elder abuse and the manner in which certain cultural factors influence the response to abuse can provide the foundation for developing prevention and treatment strategies. This article describes elder abuse and domestic violence in the context of Hispanic culture. Important aspects are examined: individual personalismo, lafamilia, commu-nidad, and The Church as they apply to the older generations and to current cohorts that have not been exposed to the majority culture for long periods. Combating abuse involves recognizing and incorporating the cultural strengths of the Hispanic community and empowering the community to create a society where all peoples can live con dignidad.