[Assessment and preventive interventions in abuse of the elderly]

Major risk factors for abuse of the elderly (EA) include impairment of physical and mental functions, caregiver stress, history of family violence, and inadequacy of social support. Comprehensive assessment for high-risk cases should include disease history, family history, and physical-psychosocial functions. Promotion and maintenance of psychophysical functions of the elderly, enforcement of knowledge and skills of elderly care, and effective communication skills are proven to be able to prevent the occurrence of EA. In communities or medical institutions, nurses are at the front line in finding potential EA cases. It is therefore necessary for nurses to possess knowledge and skills about prevention, assessment and management of EA.