Stereotypes can have an impact on elder abuse

Stereotypes are defined as widely held but fixed and oversimplified images or ideas of a particular type of person or thing. For what concerns stereotypes on older adults, they can be harmful, as they can lead to elder abuse. For example, elders are stereotyped as high warmth and low competence across cultures and these mixed stereotypes elicit pity/sympathy and passive harm (e.g., neglect). Whereas some elders are stereotyped low in warmth and competence and these stereotypes elicit contempt/disgust and active harm (e.g., physical abuse). Read more here.