Factors associated with self-reported elder mistreatment in Iowa's frailest elders

The purposes of this study were to determine associated characteristics of community-dwelling older persons, their access to care and social provisions, and self-reported elder abuse, and to assess how having help in completing a questionnaire affected these associations. A questionnaire was mailed to 1,017 randomly selected elders in the Iowa Medicaid Waiver Program. The overall prevalence of self-reported abuse was 20.9%. Fifty-nine percent of respondents had help completing the questionnaire. Abuse was associated with low social provisions, more emergency room visits, being alone, and not having enough money. For those having help completing the questionnaire, abuse was associated with older age, low social provisions, being alone, and not having enough money. For those having no help completing the questionnaire, abuse was associated with depression, being alone, more emergency room visits, and low social provisions. Among community-living elders needing services in their homes, the prevalence of abuse was higher than that found in general population studies.