Abuse in elderly people: the Granny Battering revisited.

Elderly abuse is not an uncommon problem in England and Wales. Because the elderly population in England and Wales is on the rise, and there is a lack of support for the carers, the prevalence of the elderly abuse will increase in the future. The diagnosis of elderly abuse depends on a high index of suspicion among the health professionals and being aware of the alerting features of the abuse. Most abuse is perpetrated by a family member who cares for the abused. Elderly abuse has a negative effect on both the abused and the abuser. Prevention is difficult but remains the mainstay of management. The aim of the review is to increase the awareness of elderly abuse among the health professionals.