Health Services Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.
Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 Feb;66(2):389-393. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15170. Epub 2017 Nov 10.
At least 10% of older adults experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation annually in the United States, and this problem is expected to grow as our population ages. Little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of elder abuse of veterans, but it is likely that this population is at high risk based on established elder abuse risk factors. Veterans who receive their care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) have a higher prevalence of poor psychological health, poor physical health, functional impairment, cognitive impairment, and social isolation than the general population. As the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, the VHA has long been a leader in the development of innovative, integrated care programs for older adults. The VHA has another opportunity to lead by promoting research, clinical care, and education on elder abuse, furthering their mission of serving those who served. This article outlines the rationale for developing a research agenda for elder abuse in the VHA, as well as potential first steps toward understanding more about this complex problem affecting veterans.
在美国，每年至少有 10%的老年人遭受虐待、忽视或剥削，随着人口老龄化，这个问题预计将会加剧。关于虐待退伍军人的普遍性和特征，人们知之甚少，但根据已确立的虐待老人风险因素，这一人群很可能面临高风险。通过退伍军人健康管理局（VHA）接受护理的退伍军人比一般人群更有可能出现心理健康不良、身体健康不良、功能障碍、认知障碍和社会隔离等问题。作为美国最大的综合性医疗保健系统，VHA 长期以来一直是为老年人开发创新的综合护理计划的领导者。VHA 还有机会通过促进虐待老人的研究、临床护理和教育来引领潮流，进一步履行其为退伍军人服务的使命。本文概述了在 VHA 制定虐待老人研究议程的基本原理，以及了解影响退伍军人的这一复杂问题的潜在初步步骤。
