This booklet explores an issue that has only recently begun to receive widespread public attention: the mistreatment or neglect of elderly people within the home. What is known about mistreatment of the elderly by their families or by persons within their households is discussed in this document. It also explores what can be done about it, both in terms of intervention and the long-range solution: prevention by the individual, the family, and the community. These topics are discussed: (1) the reality of home care; (2) ingredients of mistreatment, including relationships, victimization by gender, self-abuse, and spouse abuse; (3) categories of mistreatment, including passive neglect, psychological abuse, financial abuse, active neglect, and physical abuse; (4) frequency of abuse; (5) why abuse occurs; (6) passive neglect and some causes of passive neglect; (7) forms of mistreatment other than passive abuse, including psychological abuse, financial exploitation, late-onset spouse abuse, active neglect, and physical abuse; (8) the prevalence and severity of elderly abuse; (9) prevention; (10) what individuals can do to protect themselves; (11) legal processes which transfer personal control to others; (12) public guardians, plenary and limited powers of guardians and incompetency; (13) precautions individuals can use to protect themselves against abuse; and (14) prevention of abuse by family members and the community. Case studies are included. Sources of assistance for the elderly are listed. A glossary of relevant terms is included. (ABL)