Elder Abuse: Speak Out for Justice

摘要

It is estimated that 1 in 10 older adults experience abuse, but only 1 in 5 to as little as 1 in 24 cases are reported. Elder abuse is expected to increase as the population ages. Nurses are in a prime position to identify, assess, manage, and prevent elder abuse. This article explores elder abuse and its prevalence, potential causes, and risk factors, offering case studies, assessment tools, resources, and interventions. VIDEO ABSTRACT: A video abstract by author Jenna Olson is available at http: I /links. Iww. com /NCF-JCN/A27 Sadly, abuse of elders has been prevalent worldwide for centuries (Muehlbauer & Crane, 2006); it is only within the past 30 to 40 years that serious attention has been given to elder abuse (Sellas & Krouse, 2011).Yet, elder abuse remains highly underdiag-nosed and underreported by healthcare professionals (Halphen,Varas, & Sadowsky, 2009; National Center on Elder Abuse [NCEA], n.d.-a). Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals-including nurses-about elder abuse contributes to its invisibility.Proverbs 31:8-9 (The Message) tell us, "Speak up for. the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!" Hoglund Elder abuse is a common, growing problem that is a lot more than physical or verbal abuse. Proverbs 31:8 cries "Speak up for the people who have no voice.. .Speak out for justice!" Leam about elder abuse types, prevalence, risk factors, assessment tools, resources, and how to intervene. Supplemental digital content is available in the text.