Elder abuse and neglect: Help starts with recognizing the problem

Elder abuse and neglect is one of the most underrecognized, underreported, and poorly funded problems in modern society. It may be intentional or unintentional, and refers to the physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of an older adult by others. Older adults are very reluctant to report incidents of abuse out of fear, shame, embarrassment, and feelings of hopelessness that nothing can be done to help them. In this Psychiatry Rounds column, Dr. Lantz discusses signs and risk factors for and ways to avoid abuse in the elderly patient, and offers helpful resources for further information on elder mistreatment.