http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ en-us Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:46:21 GMT Silverchair editor@jama.jamanetwork.com webmaster@jama.jamanetwork.com http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1104164 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Mosqueda L, Dong X. <span class="paragraphSection">Elder mistreatment encompasses a range of behaviors including emotional, financial, physical, and sexual abuse, neglect by other individuals, and self-neglect. This article discusses the range of elder mistreatment in community-living older adults, associated factors, and consequences. Although self-neglect is not considered a type of abuse in many research definitions, it is the most commonly reported form of elder mistreatment and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The case on which this article is based describes a 70-year-old woman who neglects herself and dies despite multiple contacts with the medical community. Despite significant gaps in research, enough is known to guide clinical practice. This article presents the practical approaches a health care professional can take when a reasonable suspicion of elder mistreatment arises. Public health and interdisciplinary team approaches are needed to manage what is becoming an increasing problem as the number of older adults around the world increases.</span> 306 5 532 540 10.1001/jama.2011.1085 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1104164 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1104180 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hildreth CJ, Burke AE, Golub RM. <span class="paragraphSection">Elder abuse refers to the mistreatment of an older adult that threatens his or her health or safety. Although the abuse may be caused by a person who is in a position of trust, such as a family member or paid assistant, it also may be self-inflicted. In cases of self-neglect, an older person is unable to provide for his or her own needs (including hygiene, food, and housing) because of emotional, cognitive, or physical impairments. Elder abuse may result in depression, broken bones, sores, bruises, and death. Because persons experiencing elder abuse are often unable to seek help, friends, family, neighbors, or physicians may be in the best position to recognize and respond to an abusive situation. This Patient Page is based on one originally published in the August 5, 2009, issue of JAMA. The August 3, 2010, issue of JAMA is a theme issue on violence and human rights that includes an article discussing elder abuse and self-neglect.</span> 306 5 568 568 10.1001/jama.306.5.568 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1104180