VCU Health Elder Mistreatment Training Hub

The Abuse in Later Life Project has developed this hub of resources for health care practitioners. Curated with invaluable guidance from providers within the field of health care, this hub will provide information about elder mistreatment in an easily shareable platform.

EASI: The Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) was developed to raise a doctor’s suspicion about elder abuse to a level at which it might be reasonable to propose a referral for further evaluation by social services, adult protective services, or equivalents. While all six questions should be asked, a response of “yes” on one or more of questions 2-6 may establish concern. The EASI was validated* for asking by family practitioners of cognitively intact seniors seen in ambulatory settings.

American Medical Association Screen for Various Types of Abuse or Neglect: General questions should be asked of an older person to screen for the various types of abuse or neglect. Instructions: Patient is asked direct questions by a health care professional. The screen is a component of a suggested protocol for the detection and assessment of elder mistreatment. Any questions answered affirmatively should be followed up to determine how and when the mistreatment occurs, who perpetrates it, and how the patient feels about it and copes with it.

The Hwalek-Sengstock elder abuse screening test: Screening device useful to service providers interested in identifying people at high risk of the need for protective services. Instructions: Read the questions and write in the answers. A response of “no” to items 1, 6, 12, and 14; a response of “someone else” to item 4; and a response of “yes” to all others is scored in the “abused” direction. 

The Elder Assessment Instrument: The Elder Assessment Instrument (EAI), a 41-item assessment instrument, has been in the literature since 1984 (Fulmer, Street, & Carr, 1984; Fulmer, & Wetle, 1986; Fulmer, Paveza, Abraham, & Fairchild, 2000). This instrument is comprised of seven sections that reviews signs, symptoms and subjective complaints of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment. The EAI is appropriate in all clinical settings and is completed by clinicians that are responsible for screening for elder mistreatment.

National Center on Elder Abuse information on Elder Abuse Screening Tools for Healthcare Professionals

"How To Prevent, Detect and Report Financial Exploitation in Assisted Living Facilities" was completed by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care for the National Center on Elder Abuse.

"Signs of Elder Abuse" was completed for the National Center on Elder Abuse situated at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Elder abuse can include neglect, physical, emotional, financial or sexual abuse. It is up to all of us to prevent and report suspected abuse. Here are some signs of elder abuse that everyone should know.

"12 Things Everyone Can Do to Prevent Elder Abuse" was completed for the National Center on Elder Abuse. Our communities are like buildings that support people’s wellbeing. Sturdy buildings ensure that people are safe and thriving at every age. We all have a part to play in this construction project. Here are 12 things everyone can do to build community supports and prevent elder abuse.

"Aging Network’s Role in Identifying Malnutrition and Abuse": Local senior nutrition providers can identify abuse and neglect among the people they serve with person-centered, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed approaches. By addressing malnutrition appropriately, the aging network can promote the health and wellbeing of older adults.

"Minimizing the Risk of Opioid-Related Elder Abuse": Reported incidents of opioid misuse often result in financial exploitation and may be accompanied by other, co-occurring forms of mistreatment such as emotional abuse and physical harm. Despite the complexity of this issue, opioid-related elder abuse is an injustice that we can address and prevent.

"How Hospice Can Be A Force For Justice For Older People": Providing end of life patient care is one of the noblest and most compassionate areas in the medical field. Regarding the whole person, honoring their life and preserving dignity of the person, all add up to the prevention of elder abuse.  

"Communicating with People with Limited English Proficiency": The National Center on Elder Abuse is committed to spreading elder abuse awareness and providing quality information and referrals to people around the nation. NCEA encourages the use of these best practice tips to aid your communication efforts.

"PROTECT YOURSELF From Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation!" Unfortunately, it is estimated that millions of U.S. elders, from all walks of life, face abuse and neglect every year. Anyone can be victimized. However, there are things you can do to help protect yourself from abuse and neglect.

Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Mandated Reporter Fact Sheet: An example from California.

"Home for the Holidays": If you’re like most Americans, you don’t get to see your older loved ones as often as you’d like. The holidays offer an opportunity to visit with parents and grandparents. Given that 1 in 10 older Americans are abused and neglected, the National Center on Elder Abuse wants everyone to know what they should be looking for when visiting loved ones to ensure that they are safe.

"5 Things Everyone Can Do to Prevent Elder Abuse": Here are 5 things everyone can do to build community supports and prevent elder abuse. It is up to all of us to prevent and address elder abuse.

"The Facts of Elder Abuse": Elder abuse, the mistreatment or harming of an older person, is an injustice that we all need to prevent and address. Here are some facts that everyone should know.

"Home is Where the Heart is Checklist": Tips on long-distance caregiving. Ensuring the health and welfare of our friends and family is of the utmost importance, regardless of distance. We at the National Center on Elder Abuse want to share the following tips on staying socially connected with your loved ones.

"Red Flags of Abuse": Our communities are like structures that support people’s safety and wellbeing. One of the most important ways we can all contribute to this ongoing construction project is by looking out for warning signs of maltreatment.

Elder Abuse in the United States Teaching Strategy

Overview of Teaching Strategy

More the two million older adults are abused in the United States each year according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. It is estimated that 90% of the abusers are family members or caregivers. With a growing aging population, the need for student nurses and nurse to correctly identify abused older adults is significant. Forms of abuse include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial abuse. This teaching strategy can be used to enhance the learning of students in beginning pre-licensure nursing courses. Student will recognize and discuss the various forms of abuse in older adults, and identify resources that could potentially assist older adults in this situation. In addition, students will use the ACE.S to identify vulnerable older adults at risk for abuse. Lastly, this teaching strategy can be utilized in a variety of teaching/learning situations: didactic lectures; clinical settings such as post-clinical conference/debriefings; simulation scenario debriefings; or small seminar discussions. In addition, the teaching strategy can be used with practicing nurses as a professional development activity, as well as when orienting new graduate nurses.

"Prevent Elder Abuse - A Caregiver's Guide": Elder abuse can happen to anyone and is more common than you think. You are the eyes and ears into a potentially abusive situation and your help is critical.

"Financial Fraud and Scams": Millions of older Americans lose money to financial fraud and scams each year. Scammers will try to contact you in person, on the phone, through the computer, radio, TV ads, email, and text. They often pressure you to act quickly. But YOU have the power to stop these scammers and the right to say “NO”.

"Prevent Abuse of Older Veterans": Elder abuse is more common than you think. It happens when an older adult is harmed on purpose or is neglected. The abuser can be a family member, friend, or caregiver. Abusers can also be strangers who get in touch with older adults by phone, email, mail, social media, or the internet. Know the Scams Targeting Older Veterans.

"Prevent Elder Abuse": Elder abuse can happen to anyone and is more common than you think. It happens when an older adult is harmed on purpose or is neglected. The abuser can be a family member, friend, or caregiver. Abusers can also be strangers who get in touch with older adults by phone, email, mail, social media, or the internet.

"Prevent Financial Abuse": Millions of older Americans are financially abused every year. This can result in making it hard to pay your bills, buy food, or visit a doctor, and can make you feel betrayed, angry, and even ashamed. But financial abuse is not your fault. There are ways you can protect yourself and find help.