Title: Identifying Elder Abuse in the Emergency Department: Toward a Multidisciplinary Team-Based Approach
Abstract: Elder abuse and neglect are defined as action or negligence against a vulnerable older adult that causes harm or risk of harm, either committed by a person in a relationship with an expectation of trust or when an older person is targeted based on age or disability. This mistreatment may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, psychological abuse, or financial exploitation; many victims experience multiple types of abuse. 1 Acierno R. Hernandez M.A. Amstadter A.B. et al. Prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse and potential neglect in the United States: the National Elder Mistreatment Study. Am J Public Health. 2010; 100: 292-297 Crossref PubMed Scopus (750) Google Scholar , 2 Lachs M.S. Pillemer K. Elder abuse. Lancet. 2004; 364: 1263-1272 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (390) Google Scholar , 3 Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City Department for the Aging. Under the radar: New York State elder abuse prevalence study: self-reported prevalence and documented case surveys 2012. Available at: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/reports/Under%20the%20Radar%2005%2012%2011%20final%20report.pdf. Accessed December 17, 2015. Google Scholar , 4 Bonnie J. Wallace R.B. Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America. National Academy of Sciences Press, Washington, DC2003 Google Scholar , 5 National Center for Elder Abuse. The Elder Justice Roadmap: a stakeholder initiative to respond to an emerging health, justice, financial, and social crisis. Available at: http://ncea.acl.gov/Library/Gov_Report/docs/EJRP_Roadmap.pdf. Accessed December 17, 2015. Google Scholar Elder abuse is both common and costly. It has an estimated prevalence of 5% to 10% 1 Acierno R. Hernandez M.A. Amstadter A.B. et al. Prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse and potential neglect in the United States: the National Elder Mistreatment Study. Am J Public Health. 2010; 100: 292-297 Crossref PubMed Scopus (750) Google Scholar , 2 Lachs M.S. Pillemer K. Elder abuse. Lancet. 2004; 364: 1263-1272 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (390) Google Scholar , 3 Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City Department for the Aging. Under the radar: New York State elder abuse prevalence study: self-reported prevalence and documented case surveys 2012. Available at: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/reports/Under%20the%20Radar%2005%2012%2011%20final%20report.pdf. Accessed December 17, 2015. Google Scholar , 4 Bonnie J. Wallace R.B. Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America. National Academy of Sciences Press, Washington, DC2003 Google Scholar , 5 National Center for Elder Abuse. 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