{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/141340"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/141340","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Perspectives on Mistreated Homebound Older Adults Living in Geographically Isolated Communities","abstract":"The mistreatment of homebound older adults living in geographically isolated rural communities remains an underexplored public health and social justice concern in the United States. Although national efforts to prevent elder mistreatment (EM) have expanded, limited attention has been given to older adults who are geographically isolated. This study explored the perspectives of practitioners who work directly with this population, focusing on how they perceive, experience, and respond to EM within rural contexts characterized by distance, resource scarcity, and strong cultural norms of independence. Guided by the Contextual Theory of Elder Abuse and Role Strain Theory, this study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the lived realities of practitioners in three rural counties (Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd), within Virginia’s Planning and Service Area (PSA) 4. Seven practitioners (i.e., Adult Protective Services staff, public health nurse, long-term care ombudsman, Cooperative Extension agent, faith leader, social services supervisor) participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, yielding five major themes: neglect and isolation as overlapping conditions that heighten vulnerability, financial exploitation as interpersonal and technologically mediated, systemic and structural barriers that hinder timely intervention, cultural norms of privacy and dignity that shape reporting and response, and community-driven solutions grounded in trust and collaboration. The findings reveal that EM in rural, homebound settings cannot be separated from the broader ecological realities of place, culture, and care. Practitioners described navigating ethical and emotional strain while balancing respect for autonomy with the urgency of protection and emphasized that effective interventions depend not only on policy and law but also on local trust, relationships, and context-sensitive outreach. This study contributes to gerontological and rural aging scholarship by illuminating the voices of frontline professionals serving invisible populations. It underscores the need for multilevel, relationship-centered strategies that integrate community networks, enhance caregiver support, and expand rural infrastructure to ensure safety and dignity for homebound older adults.","abstract_html":"The mistreatment of homebound older adults living in geographically isolated rural communities remains an underexplored public health and social justice concern in the United States. Although national efforts to prevent elder mistreatment (EM) have expanded, limited attention has been given to older adults who are geographically isolated. This study explored the perspectives of practitioners who work directly with this population, focusing on how they perceive, experience, and respond to EM within rural contexts characterized by distance, resource scarcity, and strong cultural norms of independence. Guided by the Contextual Theory of Elder Abuse and Role Strain Theory, this study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the lived realities of practitioners in three rural counties (Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd), within Virginia’s Planning and Service Area (PSA) 4. Seven practitioners (i.e., Adult Protective Services staff, public health nurse, long-term care ombudsman, Cooperative Extension agent, faith leader, social services supervisor) participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, yielding five major themes: neglect and isolation as overlapping conditions that heighten vulnerability, financial exploitation as interpersonal and technologically mediated, systemic and structural barriers that hinder timely intervention, cultural norms of privacy and dignity that shape reporting and response, and community-driven solutions grounded in trust and collaboration. The findings reveal that EM in rural, homebound settings cannot be separated from the broader ecological realities of place, culture, and care. Practitioners described navigating ethical and emotional strain while balancing respect for autonomy with the urgency of protection and emphasized that effective interventions depend not only on policy and law but also on local trust, relationships, and context-sensitive outreach. This study contributes to gerontological and rural aging scholarship by illuminating the voices of frontline professionals serving invisible populations. It underscores the need for multilevel, relationship-centered strategies that integrate community networks, enhance caregiver support, and expand rural infrastructure to ensure safety and dignity for homebound older adults.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Mbanefo, Onyinye Faith"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Human Development and Family Science","degree_department":"Human Development and Family Science","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Teaster, Pamela B."],"committee_members":["Roberto, Karen A.","Savla, Jyoti S.","Dolbin-MacNab, Megan L."],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-12-09","date_published":"2025-12-09","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:31Z","subjects":["Elder Mistreatment","Homebound Older Adults","Rural Isolation","Practitioner Perspectives","Community-Based Interventions"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141340","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Teaster, Pamela B."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Roberto, Karen A.","Savla, Jyoti S.","Dolbin-MacNab, Megan L."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Human Development and Family Science"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Mbanefo, Onyinye Faith"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-02-20T15:30:41Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2026-02-20T15:30:41Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025-12-09"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"dc:type.dcmitype","label":"Dc Type Dcmitype","values":["Text"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Human Development and Family Science"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Elder Mistreatment","Homebound Older Adults","Rural Isolation","Practitioner Perspectives","Community-Based Interventions"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141340"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The mistreatment of homebound older adults living in geographically isolated rural communities remains an underexplored public health and social justice concern in the United States. Although national efforts to prevent elder mistreatment (EM) have expanded, limited attention has been given to older adults who are geographically isolated. This study explored the perspectives of practitioners who work directly with this population, focusing on how they perceive, experience, and respond to EM within rural contexts characterized by distance, resource scarcity, and strong cultural norms of independence. Guided by the Contextual Theory of Elder Abuse and Role Strain Theory, this study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the lived realities of practitioners in three rural counties (Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd), within Virginia’s Planning and Service Area (PSA) 4. Seven practitioners (i.e., Adult Protective Services staff, public health nurse, long-term care ombudsman, Cooperative Extension agent, faith leader, social services supervisor) participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, yielding five major themes: neglect and isolation as overlapping conditions that heighten vulnerability, financial exploitation as interpersonal and technologically mediated, systemic and structural barriers that hinder timely intervention, cultural norms of privacy and dignity that shape reporting and response, and community-driven solutions grounded in trust and collaboration. The findings reveal that EM in rural, homebound settings cannot be separated from the broader ecological realities of place, culture, and care. Practitioners described navigating ethical and emotional strain while balancing respect for autonomy with the urgency of protection and emphasized that effective interventions depend not only on policy and law but also on local trust, relationships, and context-sensitive outreach. This study contributes to gerontological and rural aging scholarship by illuminating the voices of frontline professionals serving invisible populations. It underscores the need for multilevel, relationship-centered strategies that integrate community networks, enhance caregiver support, and expand rural infrastructure to ensure safety and dignity for homebound older adults."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["Many older adults in rural areas spend most of their time at home because of illness, disability, or limited transportation. For some, this isolation can lead to neglect, financial exploitation, or other forms of mistreatment that often go unnoticed. This study focuses on the people who work most closely with them, including social workers, nurses, clergy, community educators, and advocates. It examined how these professionals understand and respond to the challenges faced by homebound older adults in rural Southwest Virginia. Through interviews with seven practitioners from Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties in Virginia, the study uncovered powerful insights into what elder mistreatment looks like in small, close-knit communities. Participants described how distance, poor roads, and limited internet access make it hard for older adults to seek help or for services to reach them. They also noted that many older adults value privacy and independence, which sometimes prevents them from accepting assistance, even when they are unsafe. Practitioners shared stories of older adults living alone without heat or food, of financial scams and caregiver exploitation, and of the emotional toll these situations take on everyone involved. Yet, the research also revealed hope. Community-based relationships through churches, neighbors, and local programs often became the most effective form of protection. Practitioners found that building trust, meeting older adults where they are, and working together across agencies made real differences in people’s lives. The study findings call for better transportation and internet access in rural areas, stronger community partnerships, and ongoing education to help protect older adults while respecting their independence and dignity. Ultimately, this research highlights that safeguarding older adults is not just about policy or systems; it depends on human connection, trust, and the shared responsibility of communities to care for one another."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:format.mimetype","label":"Dc Format Mimetype","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Perspectives on Mistreated Homebound Older Adults Living in Geographically Isolated Communities"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Teaster, Pamela B."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Roberto, Karen A.","Savla, Jyoti S.","Dolbin-MacNab, Megan L."],"dc:contributor.department":["Human Development and Family Science"],"dc:creator":["Mbanefo, Onyinye Faith"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-02-20T15:30:41Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-02-20T15:30:41Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-12-09"],"dc:description.abstract":["The mistreatment of homebound older adults living in geographically isolated rural communities remains an underexplored public health and social justice concern in the United States. Although national efforts to prevent elder mistreatment (EM) have expanded, limited attention has been given to older adults who are geographically isolated. This study explored the perspectives of practitioners who work directly with this population, focusing on how they perceive, experience, and respond to EM within rural contexts characterized by distance, resource scarcity, and strong cultural norms of independence. Guided by the Contextual Theory of Elder Abuse and Role Strain Theory, this study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the lived realities of practitioners in three rural counties (Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd), within Virginia’s Planning and Service Area (PSA) 4. Seven practitioners (i.e., Adult Protective Services staff, public health nurse, long-term care ombudsman, Cooperative Extension agent, faith leader, social services supervisor) participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, yielding five major themes: neglect and isolation as overlapping conditions that heighten vulnerability, financial exploitation as interpersonal and technologically mediated, systemic and structural barriers that hinder timely intervention, cultural norms of privacy and dignity that shape reporting and response, and community-driven solutions grounded in trust and collaboration. The findings reveal that EM in rural, homebound settings cannot be separated from the broader ecological realities of place, culture, and care. Practitioners described navigating ethical and emotional strain while balancing respect for autonomy with the urgency of protection and emphasized that effective interventions depend not only on policy and law but also on local trust, relationships, and context-sensitive outreach. This study contributes to gerontological and rural aging scholarship by illuminating the voices of frontline professionals serving invisible populations. It underscores the need for multilevel, relationship-centered strategies that integrate community networks, enhance caregiver support, and expand rural infrastructure to ensure safety and dignity for homebound older adults."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["Many older adults in rural areas spend most of their time at home because of illness, disability, or limited transportation. For some, this isolation can lead to neglect, financial exploitation, or other forms of mistreatment that often go unnoticed. This study focuses on the people who work most closely with them, including social workers, nurses, clergy, community educators, and advocates. It examined how these professionals understand and respond to the challenges faced by homebound older adults in rural Southwest Virginia. Through interviews with seven practitioners from Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties in Virginia, the study uncovered powerful insights into what elder mistreatment looks like in small, close-knit communities. Participants described how distance, poor roads, and limited internet access make it hard for older adults to seek help or for services to reach them. They also noted that many older adults value privacy and independence, which sometimes prevents them from accepting assistance, even when they are unsafe. Practitioners shared stories of older adults living alone without heat or food, of financial scams and caregiver exploitation, and of the emotional toll these situations take on everyone involved. Yet, the research also revealed hope. Community-based relationships through churches, neighbors, and local programs often became the most effective form of protection. Practitioners found that building trust, meeting older adults where they are, and working together across agencies made real differences in people’s lives. The study findings call for better transportation and internet access in rural areas, stronger community partnerships, and ongoing education to help protect older adults while respecting their independence and dignity. Ultimately, this research highlights that safeguarding older adults is not just about policy or systems; it depends on human connection, trust, and the shared responsibility of communities to care for one another."],"dc:description.degree":["Master of Science"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:format.mimetype":["application/pdf"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141340"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["Elder Mistreatment","Homebound Older Adults","Rural Isolation","Practitioner Perspectives","Community-Based Interventions"],"dc:title":["Perspectives on Mistreated Homebound Older Adults Living in Geographically Isolated Communities"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"dc:type.dcmitype":["Text"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Human Development and Family Science"],"thesis:degree_level":["masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:31Z"}