from JAMA Network Open
Mistreatment of elderly or elder abuse affects an estimated ten percent of older Americans. A new study focused on elder abuse in New York State with a follow up ten years later. The statistics were similar—roughly ten percent. However, none of the elderly in this study had reported mistreatment at the beginning of the study, thus removing the question of whether poor health had caused their mistreatment. Cornell University and University of Toronto researchers found the most common type of mistreatment was financial abuse, followed by emotional abuse and physical abuse and neglect. Authors, in JAMA Network Open, say the study contributes to growing evidence that elder abuse is a prevalent problem that demands a vigorous public health response.