title: Elder abuse--"society's dilemma".
abstract: Elder abuse and neglect has been recognized as a growing problem in the United States, and this trend is likely to increase unless firm steps are taken to prevent it. All 50 states have reporting requirements for elder abuse and neglect. However, to date, there is no federal policy requiring reporting of elder abuse and neglect. In order to stem the tide of this awful scourge on society, we must continue to train caregivers and healthcare workers in the proper care and treatment of our elder citizens. Healthcare workers, especially emergency medicine physicians and nurses, must take the lead in this endeavor. There must be organized programs in healthcare facilities to facilitate the training of medical personnel. Scientific literature suggests that the abusers appear to be family members and caretakers of the elderly. Goals for prevention include enhancing quality of life, preventing family breakdown, and keeping the elderly persons in their homes as long as possible, if this is their wish. Intervention appears to be one of the best ways of prevention.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hardin
authors.forename: Alia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan-Hudson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005190:Family; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
references.citation: Ann Emerg Med. 1989 Nov;18(11):1217-21
references.pmid: 2817566
references.citation: Cleve Clin J Med. 2002 Oct;69(10):801-8
references.pmid: 12371803
references.citation: J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Feb;52(2):297-304
references.pmid: 14728644
references.citation: Ann Intern Med. 2004 Mar 2;140(5):387-96
references.pmid: 14996681
references.citation: Clin Gerontol. 1983 Summer;1(4):39-52
references.pmid: 10267683
references.citation: Nurs Forum. 1984;21(3):102-8
references.pmid: 6571121
references.citation: BMJ. 1996 Aug 31;313(7056):548-50
references.pmid: 8789988
references.citation: Nurs Clin North Am. 1989 Sep;24(3):707-16
references.pmid: 2671952
references.citation: BMJ. 1990 Dec 15;301(6765):1359-62
references.pmid: 2271883
references.citation: Public Health Rep. 1991 Mar-Apr;106(2):151-4
references.pmid: 1902307
references.citation: Home Healthc Nurse. 1992 May-Jun;10(3):69-70
references.pmid: 1607293
references.citation: Acad Med. 1995 Nov;70(11):979-81
references.pmid: 7575953
references.citation: Ann Emerg Med. 1988 Jan;17(1):106
references.pmid: 3337404