Abuse and neglect in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

Elder mistreatment is a serious issue that effects the lives of thousands of older adults and results in emotional difficulties, such as depression,feelings of inadequacy, self-loathing, and lowered self-esteem. It has been shown to result in family distress, impaired life functioning, and difficulties with cognition and has been linked to health problems,such as immunologic dysfunction, and increased mortality. As the population ages, and with it the numbers of persons afflicted by diseases such as Alzheimer's, understanding and recognizing elder mistreatment becomes an important factor in maintaining quality of life for older adults.