Peer-reviewed article
Multi-method Examination of Elder Mistreatment in the Age of COVID-19
Salari S, Talboys S, Fukushima A, Melton H, Michelle S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines how COVID-19 affected elder mistreatment in Utah, finding changes in abuse types, service responses, and firearm access. Domestic violence shelters saw fewer children but more older adults aged 60+, while pandemic isolation confined victims with abusers and reduced their safety. Gun sales increased during the pandemic, and policy changes loosened concealed carry restrictions. The research used interviews with service providers and tracked fatality data.
Key points
- DV shelters experienced a relative lack of children during the pandemic but increased use by older persons aged 60+
- Firearm sales and new permit requests skyrocketed during the pandemic; the 2021 Utah Legislature loosened concealed carry restrictions
- Pandemic isolation kept victims confined with abusers, often without technology access, decreasing their safety
- DV shelters adapted by using CARES Act funds to place victims in hotel rooms
- Evidence suggests increased fatalities among elder adults during and after the pandemic
Limitations
This study focuses on elder mistreatment and domestic violence against older adults and adults generally, not on children's well-being. While the report mentions a relative lack of children in DV shelters during the pandemic, children are not the primary population studied or the focus of the analysis.
Abstract
Abstract A multi-method study exposed COVID-19 influence on the pre-existing epidemic of elder mistreatment in Utah. We found changes in 1) abuse types, 2) service responses, 3) firearm access and 4) policy implications. Gun sales were tracked by news surveillance and FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for pre-pandemic (2018/2019) and pandemic years (2020/2021). New requests for permits skyrocketed during the pandemic. The 2021 Utah State Legislature loosened restrictions on concealed permits. Domestic violence (DV) Fatality Tracker Data in pre-covid years were compared to 2020-2021. A figure illustrates the prevalence of DV fatalities, ages of victims by year and methods used. We conducted 15 in-depth interviews of stake holders who serve DV victims (shelters, police, etc.). DV shelters had a relative lack of children during the pandemic, but increased use by older persons 60+. Susceptibility to chronic respiratory distress syndrome, required social distance for older persons. DV shelters obtained CARES Act funds to adapt solutions, like placing victims in hotel rooms. Most victims stayed at home, confined with abuser(s), some without technology, so isolation decreased their safety. Evidence suggests some fatalities among elder adults. A case study during the pandemic described a 73-year-old mother’s suspicious bank account activity. Bank employees sent police to her home. She was missing, but her co-resident adult son was in possession of her bank cards. She was later found in a shallow grave. Utah households have increased risks of DV fatalities in the wake of the pandemic and for years to come.