Detecting elder abuse: a guide for physicians.

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is not a new phenomenom, however, it recently has become recognized as a social problem throughout the United States. Much like child abuse, detection of elder abuse is contingent upon physicians' awareness of this problem and an understanding of the risk factors that often appear before a crisis occurs. Understanding elder abuse detection and risk factors will enable the practicing physician to identify and treat abuse. The purpose of this article is to provide physicians with detection and intervention strategies, with the hope that physicians will utilize their unique relationship with their patients to further the investigation of this growing social problem.