Preparing those caring for older adults to report elder abuse

This article describes the development of laws requiring the reporting of elder abuse in Australia and the corresponding need to develop education programs to equip those caring for the elderly population with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to identify, document, and provide effective forensic medical evidence to support these reports. The author provides an overview of a purposely designed elective course in an undergraduate bachelor of nursing degree program. This is the first step in a strategic plan to develop a suite of professional continuing education and research courses to build the skills necessary to report elder abuse among those working with the elderly population.