Experts call on VA to support research into elder abuse

With at least 10 percent of elderly adults experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation every year, experts called on the Veterans Health Administration to promote research into elder abuse in a recent article published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The authors of the article point out that military veterans may be at high risk for elder abuse, as many older veterans display established elder abuse risk factors. Older veterans have a higher prevalence of poor psychological health, poor physical health and cognitive impairment, among other elder abuse risk factors. Still, little research exists regarding abuse among elderly veterans. The study's authors argue this makes the VA uniquely positioned to spearhead research into the issue. Additionally, the VA has long been a forerunner regarding the research and clinical care of geriatric syndromes.

"Now, in the area of elder abuse, they again have the opportunity to lead by spearheading a research agenda on studying abuse, neglect, and exploitation among older Veterans that is outlined in our paper," said lead author Lena Makaroun, MD, of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and the University of Washington, both in Seattle. "Progress made by this research will not only help Veterans, but as we've seen in many instances before this, advances developed within the VA have the potential to greatly impact the care of older adults nationally. While adults are living longer in this country, we also want them to live better, and part of having a good quality of life in older age, as at any age, is ensuring safety, adequate care, and justice."

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