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The pattern of elderly abuse presenting to an emergency department
1Emergency Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11, Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. wai_ming_cham@notes.ttsh.gov.sg
Aim:
To determine the pattern and frequency of elder abuse presenting to an urban Emergency unit in Singapore.
Method:
The survey was conducted from May 1994 to December 1997. The patients consisted of adults who were 65 years or older who presented to the Emergency Department with non-accidental trauma or complained of other acts of cruelty.
Result:
17 cases of elder abuse were found, out of a total of 62,826 elderly patients. The frequency of elder abuse presenting to the Emergency Department was 0.03%. Elder abuse makes up 2.9% of all cases of family violence involving adults in this period. The average age was 74.6 years old. There was a predominance of Chinese females. In 58.8% the assailants were the daughter-in-law or son. 70.5% were ambulatory. Most (76.4%) had a chronic medical illness, commonly hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or both. Blunt musculoskeletal trauma, head or maxillofacial injuries were the commonest injuries encountered.
Conclusion:
Elder abuse is a significant subset of Family Violence. It may be more widespread than thought. Awareness of its occurrence is a first step in halting its progression.