The mistreatment and abuse of older people and the new UK national prevalence study

Abstract A major study of the prevalence of the abuse and mistreatment of older people in the UK is currently taking place. It has been funded by Comic Relief with financial support from the Department of Health. This paper outlines the history and policy background to this seminal research development, details the methodology that is being employed and presents findings from the first stage of the research. The paper is an expanded version of the first part of an address given to the national conference of Action on Elder Abuse on 13th March, 2006.