Using clinical signs of neglect to identify elder neglect cases

Authors:
FRIEDMAN Lee S., et al
Journal article citation:
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 29(4), 2017, pp.270-287.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA

Elder neglect is the one of the most pervasive forms of mistreatment, and often the only place outside of the individual’s residence to identify and assist neglected individuals is in a medical setting. However, elder neglect cases treated in hospitals do not present with a single diagnosis or clinical sign, but rather involve a complex constellation of clinical signs. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines on which clinical signs to use in screening tools for neglect among patients treated in hospitals. Using the DELPHI method, a group of experts developed and tested a scale to be used as a pre-screener that conceptually could be integrated into electronic health record systems so that it could identify potential neglect cases in an automated manner. By applying the scale as a pre-screener for neglect, the tool would reduce the pool of at-risk patients who would benefit from in-depth screening for elder neglect by 95%. (Publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
neglect, elder abuse, older people, screening, diagnosis, hospitals, health care;
Content type:
practice guidance
Location(s):
United States
Links:
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ISSN online:
1540-4129
ISSN print:
0894-6566

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