Elder abuse geriatrics: describing an important new medical specialist.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Bloemen E, Tietz S, Lindberg D, Hayes J, Lum H, Gottesman E, Elman A, Sullivan M, Pino C, McAuley J, Shaw A, Hancock D, Chang E, Yasui R, LoFaso V, Stern M, Rosen T
Journal J Elder Abuse Negl
Volume 36
Issue 4
Pagination 367-383
Date Published 04/11/2024
ISSN 1540-4129
Keywords Elder Abuse, Geriatrics
Abstract Elder mistreatment, including elder abuse and neglect, is a difficult diagnosis to make and manage for most providers. To address this, two elder abuse consultation teams were developed for patients in the hospital and emergency department settings. As these teams have developed, the providers involved have obtained specialized training and experience that we believe contributes to a new field of elder abuse geriatrics, a corollary to the well-established field of child abuse pediatrics. Providers working in this field require specialized training and have a specialized scope of practice that includes forensic evaluation, evaluation of cognition and capacity, care coordination and advocacy for victims of abuse, and collaboration with protective services and law enforcement. Here we describe the training, scope of practice, ethical role, and best practices for elder mistreatment medical consultation. We hope this will serve as a starting point for this new and important medical specialty.
DOI 10.1080/08946566.2024.2339242
PubMed ID 38602348
PubMed Central ID PMC11333173
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