Abuse of Older Adults

An older adult may present with a bruise, dehydration, missed medication, fear of a caregiver, or an unexplained bank transfer. None of these findings proves abuse alone. Concern rises when the injury or deterioration does not fit the explanation, when the caregiver controls access to the patient or information, or when several forms of harm appear together. The practical nurse is not expected to prove abuse at the bedside. The immediate work is to recognize a concerning pattern, treat urgent illness or injury, speak with the older adult privately, preserve objective information, and activate the protection and reporting pathway required by the province, setting, and situation. A stranger’s assault may be a crime, but abuse of an older adult is distinguished by harm or serious risk within a relationship of trust.