This tool is for clinicians and health professionals working in emergency departments, and helps them recognise and report any signs of elder abuse
Older people present at health settings more often than younger people and frontline health staff may be the first to identify abuse of an older person.
Abuse can occur anywhere, including the home, institutions, or health care settings. It is estimated unreported cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in NSW per year is 20,000 cases.
It is predicted that almost four times as many incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation are not reported and therefore 20,000 becomes 80,000 cases.
Key issues for ED staff are that elder abuse does not discriminate, it’s hidden from view, and can have serious physical injury and long term psychological consequences.