The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65013

Michèle C Findler, MPH, Elder Abuse Prevention Program, WISE Senior Services, 1527 4th Street, Suite 250, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Michael Rodriguez, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine, UCLA, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90095, and Lisa Nerenberg, MPH, MSW, Consultant, 1906 Barton St., Redwood City, CA 94061, (650) 306-0253, lnerenberg@aol.com.

Violence, and elder abuse in particular, is a major public health problem. Abused and neglected elders are at greater risk of poor health and higher rates of morbidity and mortality than non-abused seniors. In fact, elders who experience abuse or self-neglect are more likely to die than their peers who are not abused.

Each year, an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse and neglect; many are abused and neglected by people they depend on for care or protection. Conservative estimates suggest that only one in fourteen cases of elder abuse and neglect is reported. Victims of elder abuse may be reluctant to tell anyone about the abuse due to shame, embarrassment, feelings that she/he would not be believed, frailty or limited capacity.

This panel will focus on how elder abuse affects all areas of an older person’s life, including the person’s physical and mental health, lifestyle and quality of life. It will discuss elder abuse as a public health epidemic with particular attention addressed to the epidemiology of elder abuse, the devastation of elder financial abuse and the signs and symptoms of all types of abuse. It will further describe promising practices, programs and interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1)Recognize the signs and symptoms of neglect and elder physical, emotional/psychological and financial abuse.
• 2)List key services, interventions and programs that can prevent elder abuse.
• 3)Explain why elder abuse is a public health problem which needs to be addressed using a multi-disciplinary approach.

Keywords: Elderly, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: WISE Senior Services - a private, non-profit organization located in Santa Monida, CA.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.