Enhancing National Policy and Programs to Address Elder Abuse
- XinQi Dong, MD, MPH;
- Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH
[+] Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations: Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Dong); and Departments of Preventive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Simon).
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
- KEYWORDS:
- aging,
- elder abuse,
- health policy,
- public health.
The US aging population is rapidly increasing, many of whom are highly vulnerable, which increases their risk for elder abuse. The World Health Organization has declared that elder abuse is a violation of an older adult’s fundamental rights to be safe and free of violence. Although prior research suggests the prevalence of elder abuse varies between 5% and 30%, recent estimates suggest that 1 in 10 older adults experience physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. 1, 2 At the same time, only a small fraction of elder abuse is reported to the Adult Protective Services (APS). Elder abuse is associated with morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. 3, 4 In this Commentary, we highlight the existing elder abuse programs through 2 federal legislations: the Older American Act 5 and the Violence Against Women Act, 6 focusing on 4 major gaps in the field of …
