Mahnaz Ahmad, MD, MS Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, The Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
Mark S. Lachs, MD, MPH Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, The Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
Address: Mark Lachs, MD, MPH, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, Box 39, New York, NY 10021; e-mail mslachs@mail.med.cornell.edu
Dr. Lachs was a Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar in Geriatric Medicine when he wrote this article and is the recipient of an Academic Leadership Award from the National Institute on Aging (KO7 AG00853).
ABSTRACTAlthough reports of elder abuse to official agencies have been steadily increasing, physicians report only 2% of reported cases. Multiple barriers to reporting exist. This article reviews the terminology, epidemiology, and clinical signs associated with elder abuse in the community and offers practical strategies for intervention.
