Elder abuse: a challenge for home care nurses.

Healthcare practitioners are aware that elder abuse exists in our society, and in light of present economic conditions, its prevalence may be increasing. This problem often goes undetected because abuse frequently is not acknowledged by the abused or the abuser. Home care nurses are in a prime position to recognize elder abuse and to intervene accordingly. This article addresses the characteristics of abused older adults, their abusers, strategies to detect elder abuse, and interventions that home care nurses can use to manage or to prevent the problem.