Elder Abuse Detection and Intervention: Challenges for Professionals and Strategies for Engagement From a Canadian Specialist Service

Silvia Fraga Dominguez, Jennifer Valiquette, Jennifer Storey, Emily Glorney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Elder abuse (EA) is of increasing relevance in the context of an aging society, and this has implications for detection and intervention for several types of healthcare providers, including forensic nurses. Knowledge related to EA is important as victims are likely to interact with providers, because of either existing health problems or the consequences of abuse. This article provides a brief overview of EA, followed by an outline of current detection and intervention efforts used by healthcare providers in community and hospital settings. In addition, knowledge about help-seeking and barriers to disclosure are discussed to inform healthcare provider interactions with older adults where EA is suspected or disclosed. To illustrate challenges faced by healthcare providers in this area, two cases of EA involving case management by a forensic nurse in a specialist service in Canada are presented.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)199-206
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Forensic Nursing
Volume16
Issue number4
Early online date9 Sept 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2020

Cite this