Improving forensics: Characterizing injuries among community-dwelling physically abused older adults

Physical elder abuse affects a substantial number of older adults, leaving victims at increased risk for negative health outcomes. Improved detection of abuse-related injuries may increase victim access to professional support, but providers report difficulties distinguishing between accidental and abuse-related injuries, due in part to victims' pre-existing health conditions and medication use.

To describe the spectrum and characteristics of injuries among physically abused older adults and identify injury characteristics associated with abuse.

Case-control study.

Physically abused adult protective services clients were interviewed in their home; non-abused comparison group participants were interviewed in an outpatient geriatrics clinic.

Sample included 156 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older, including 57 physically abused and 99 non-abused individuals. Self-reported abuse history was confirmed through independent case assessment by a LEAD (Longitudinal, Expert All-Data) panel of clinicians with family violence expertise.

Full-body assessments were conducted, documenting injury incidence, diagnosis, and location. We also collected sociodemographic characteristics, level of social support, functional ability, medical history, and medication use.

Physically abused older adults were more likely to be injured upon assessment (79.0% vs 63.6%; p < 0.05) and have a greater number of injuries ( $$ vs $$ , p < 0.05). Injuries seen more often among abused individuals included: upper extremity ecchymoses (42.1% vs 26.3%; p < 0.05), abrasions (31.6% vs 11.1%; p < 0.01), and areas of tenderness (8.8% vs 0.0%; p < 0.01); and head/neck/maxillofacial ecchymoses (15.8% vs 2.0%; p < 0.01) and tenderness (15.8% vs 0.0%; p < 0.001). Lower extremity abrasions (12.3%) were common but unrelated to abuse status.

While physical abuse does not always result in physical injury, victims more commonly display head/neck/maxillofacial ecchymoses or tenderness and upper extremity abrasions, ecchymoses, or tenderness. Detection of these injuries among older adults warrants further interview and examination.