Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Uncovering the Hidden Problem

Researchers note that the state of medical knowledge and forensic science regarding elder abuse and neglect is about three decades behind the state of scientific knowledge on child abuse and about one decade behind that of domestic violence. ref To detect abuse and neglect in older people, health care and other professionals need to understand the aging process, including age-related changes and those markers indicating abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, many professionals who come into contact with older people are unlikely to recognize the signs of elder abuse.

Modern medical advancements and other improvements have made it possible for the majority of our nation's older people to remain healthy, both physically and mentally, longer than any preceding generation. By uncovering the extent of the problem and finding ways to reduce the risk of abuse for older people, everyone will be able to look toward the later years as a time for caring and support -- not as a period of neglect and abuse.