Elder Abuse

Elder abuse and neglect are serious problems affecting tens of thousands of older adults each year. In this chapter, we discuss elder abuse in its various forms (including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, financial maltreatment, and neglect) and provide recommendations for screening and prevention relevant to health-care providers working with geriatric populations. We further highlight clinical and contextual issues pertinent to screening for elder abuse and to its prevention, followed by a review of information regarding emergency management and care in cases of suspected or confirmed elder abuse. We conclude with a discussion about mandated reporting laws and community-based intervention strategies. We hope that this chapter will improve providers’ knowledge of the prevalence and consequences of elder abuse and strengthen the willingness to screen for and intervene in situations where an older adult may be the victim of elder abuse or neglect.