Elder abuse.
Elder abuse is an under-recognised cause of morbidity in the elderly. The frail elderly with multiple physical and psychiatric problems living with a relative who may also have a physical or psychiatric problem are particularly at risk. Although increased awareness of the problem and a high index of suspicion are necessary factors to diagnose the condition, clinical pointers towards diagnosis are available. Treatment for both victim and "carer" should be on the basis of multi-disciplinary assessment, and may result in admission of the elderly patient to an extended-care facility.
O'Neill
D
D
Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin.
McCormack
P
P
Walsh
J B
JB
Coakley
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans