title: Elder abuse.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coakley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans