Identifying and handling abused older clients in community care: the perspectives of nurse managers

Abstract

Abuse of older people can lead to an increased need for health care services, and early identification of and intervention with abused, older clients should be a priority. To gain knowledge about how nurse managers and their staff identify and handle abused older clients. Qualitative study. Fifty-two participants were interviewed, the text transcribed and analysed using manifest qualitative content analysis. The identification and handling of older victims depended on individual nurses and the involvement of the participants and are based on clinical experience and less on knowledge through professional training and education. The participants emphasised the need for an individualised approach to older victims suspected of abuse. The important role of the nurse managers in the handling of abuse is discussed as well as the need for support of the nurse managers and the staff in community care by increased interdisciplinary collaboration to handle complex cases. The identification and handling of abused older clients are a challenging issue for community care, and more knowledge and support are needed. The concept of elder abuse must be clarified, and strategies for its identification and intervention must be developed.