Grow old free from violence: The problem of elder abuse in the health sector

Elder abuse is a public health problem with dramatic social, and economic consequences. A 2017 study from 52 studies in 28 countries from diverse regions estimated that, over the past year, 15.7% of people aged 60 years and older were subjected to some form of abuse. However, data on the extent of the phenomenon are scarce as it is highly unreported. Elder abuse includes physical, psychological, financial, sexual abuse and neglect or self-neglect and risk factors are known. In the health sector, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration can contribute to reduce elder abuse together with training of health care professionals and screening of risk factors. According to the U.S.A. Adult Protective Services experience, the challenge is now to create a model of intervention in order to prevent, identify and respond to elder abuse through a standardized approach and also to promote the awareness of the society on a problem that, first of all, constitutes a violation of human rights.