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Abstract: 

It is not uncommon for people to talk about “elder abuse” and mean only what happens in nursing homes or only physical abuse. Similarly, many people do not understand that “vulnerable adults” are frequently fairly young and have a variety of disabilities. Even policymakers frequently forget that Adult Protective Services in nearly every state see the full range of ages, disabilities, types of abuse, and perpetrators. And many see victims in a variety of settings, including private homes, nursing homes, and other institutions. Interestingly, overall the media is reflecting the diversity of cases that come to the attention of those working in the elder/vulnerable adult abuse fields. These cases are not always labeled “elder abuse”—indeed some, like “mercy killings,” are frequently excluded from the term—but they are coming to the public’s attention (albeit in piecemeal fashion). This analysis of a week’s worth of media coverage of cases involving elder and vulnerable adult abuse provides a snapshot of what the public is exposed to all over the country

Keywords: Random News Reports About Abuse of Elderly (Chart)

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