The present paper pretends to identify, describe and compare the prevalence studies of elder
abuse and neglect developed in Israel. The research method used international databases and
specific keywords to develop the research. Results show the dominance of communitarian
2
setting in elderly abuse and neglect studies and a comprehensive approach to specific
populations (Arab-Israeli, Jewish). The results indicate lower levels of prevalence of abuse
and neglect (2.5% and 0.5%) when local sample are considered, whereas when the national
survey is taken into account, higher prevalence indices of abuse (18%) and even higher of
neglect (26%) can be observed. Emotional / psychological abuses, followed by neglect, were
the prevalent forms of abuse. All instruments employed were purposely designed for the
different studies through research of international literature. In conclusion, several
characteristics of the abused elders and perpetrators do encountered what has been found in
other developed countries revealing that family is probably the primary setting where elderly
abuse and neglect takes place.Daphne III, University of Minho
