A Description of Cases of Severe Physical Abuse in the Elderly and 1-Year Mortality

We conducted a case-control study to evaluate severe physical abuse of the elderly treated in two Chicago area Level I trauma centers. This report details whether physicians are adequately reporting cases of abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS), and assesses 1 year. The failure to report two-thirds of the cases and the substantially higher risk of death during the first year after hospitalization indicates the need for improved identification, reporting, and intervention. It is important that clinicians understand the complexity of elder abuse in order to better identify suspected victims and report these cases to professionals in APS.