A two decade review of elderly physical abuse in forensic medicine

Elder physical abuse is a significant public health concern, often concealed within trusted relationships like family or caregivers. Risk factors include dependency, isolation, and caregiver burden. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and patterns of elder abuse over a 20-year period and assess the impact of social crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, on its frequency and nature.

A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis was performed on 379 elder physical abuse cases reported to a forensic medicine unit between 2004 and 2023. Data included victim demographics, perpetrator characteristics, and incident locations. Statistical analyses involved chi-square tests and descriptive summaries.

The majority of victims were female (77.6%) and widowed (83.4%). Abuse occurred predominantly in victim's home (79.7%), and all abusers were known to the victims. Male offenders were responsible for 89.7% of incidents. Women suffered more severe injuries compared to men. Cases increased after 2020 due to pandemic-induced isolation and stress. Repeated abuse by the same individual was identified in 9.2% of cases. Foreign nationals comprised 5.8% of victims, with cases first recorded in 2013 following the Syrian war in 2011. Furthermore, 41.7% of cases were identified incidentally during unrelated medical examinations.

The hidden nature of elder abuse emphasizes the key role of healthcare providers in its detection. Social crises like the pandemic and migration have made the issue of elder abuse more complex, highlighting the need for stronger social support systems and expanding awareness efforts for elderly individuals.