Abuse of elderly people--"pathological" carers.

Abuse of elderly people is now recognised as a problem deserving attention because of the suffering incurred by the victim. Forms of abuse and characteristics of potential victims are described. An awareness of the existence of such abuse coupled with good social and medical services for elderly people would reduce the carer stress which most commonly results in such abuse. A second much rarer group of abusing carers, "pathological" carers, is highlighted and it is suggested that a specific procedure possibly similar to that used in child abuse cases is required to protect the victim.