Elder abuse in the emergency department

Int Emerg Nurs. 2012 Oct;20(4):214-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ienj.2012.03.009. Epub 2012 Sep 13.

Abstract

Elder abuse is an important challenge in global societies. Detection of and intervention in elder abuse is crucial to the well-being of older people. Older people are high consumers of health care services and the consequences of elder abuse may provide a catalyst to attendance in the emergency department. This paper considers the topic of elder abuse and examines issues pertaining to understandings, recognition, screening and care in the emergency department environment.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Disclosure
  • Elder Abuse / prevention & control*
  • Emergency Nursing
  • Fear
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Referral and Consultation