Evaluation of elder abuse in elderly patients presenting to an emergency department

Abstract

With the increase in the elderly population worldwide, elder abuse and neglect cases are not increasing gradually. Elder abuse is not only physical abuse but also sexual, psychological, and economic. This study aimed to evaluate the findings of elderly individuals admitted to an emergency department for abuse and neglect. This study was performed on patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Between January 1, 2019 and January 4, 2019, a presurvey and the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST) were administered. Among the elderly included in this study, 48.8% (n=240) were female and 51.2% (n=252) were male. The total scores of the general test were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.05) in the elderly who were living alone, widowed, illiterate, unemployed, did not have children, came to the emergency department with trauma findings, had a history of more than one previous trauma, or who felt that they had recently been subjected to violence or physically, psychologically, or economically abused. It should be kept in mind that elderly patients admitted to an emergency department may suffer from elder abuse and neglect. Providing the right communication and appropriate environment to detect elder abuse is important for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.