Elder Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gerontology
• Social Work

Background:

• Elder abuse is a critical public health concern.
• Pre-pandemic, 1 in 10 older adults faced mistreatment; this rose to 1 in 5 in 2020, an 84% increase.
• Family members, particularly adult children and spouses, are perpetrators in nearly 60% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To educate healthcare providers on identifying and intervening in elder abuse.
• To highlight the increasing prevalence of elder abuse, especially financial exploitation.
• To provide guidance for home care providers on recognizing and responding to suspected elder abuse.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on elder abuse statistics and trends.
• Analysis of perpetrator demographics in elder abuse cases.
• Identification of risk factors and intervention strategies for home care settings.

Main Results:

• Elder abuse prevalence significantly increased during the pandemic.
• Financial abuse, including theft scams, is the fastest-growing category.
• Family members are the most common offenders in elder abuse and neglect.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers need enhanced understanding of elder abuse identification and intervention.
• Home care providers play a crucial role in detecting and reporting elder abuse.
• Addressing elder abuse requires comprehensive strategies targeting perpetrators and supporting victims.