Decline in Physical Function and Risk of Elder Abuse Reported to Social Services in a Community-dwelling Population of Older Adults

Overview

Journal J Am Geriatr Soc

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2012 Sep 26

PMID 23002901

Citations 12

Authors

XinQi Dong

Melissa Simon

Denis Evans

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the longitudinal association between decline in physical function and risk of elder abuse.

Design: Prospective population-based study.

Setting: Geographically defined community in Chicago.

Participants: The primary independent variable was objectively assessed physical function using decline in physical performance testing (tandem stand, measured walk, and chair stand). Secondary independent variables were assessed using decline in self-reported Katz, Nagi, and Rosow-Breslau scale scores. Dependent variables were reported and confirmed elder abuse and specific subtypes of elder abuse (physical, psychological, caregiver neglect, and financial exploitation). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between decline in physical function measures and risk of elder abuse.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, decline in physical performance testing (odds ratio (OR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.19), Katz impairment (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15-1.45), Nagi impairment (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.13-1.49), and Rosow Breslau impairment (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.15-1.74) was associated with greater risk for elder abuse. The lowest tertile of physical performance testing (OR = 4.92, 95% CI = 1.39-17.46) and the highest tertiles of Katz impairment (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 2.18-7.31), Nagi impairment (2.37, 95% CI = 1.08-5.23), and Rosow Breslau impairment (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.39-5.84) were associated with greater risk of elder abuse.

Conclusion: Decline in objectively assessed physical function and self-reported physical function are associated with greater risk for elder abuse.

Citing Articles

Detection of Elder Abuse Through Emergency Care Technicians Screening Tool Revision for Home-Based Primary Care (DETECT-RPC): a cluster randomised controlled trial study protocol.

Cannell B, Sevey N, Livingston M, Burnett J, Lees Haggerty K, Pickering C BMJ Open. 2025; 15(1):e089028.

PMID: 39819945 PMC: 11751820. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089028.

Focusing on Caregiver Neglect: A Novel Strategy for Mistreatment of Older Adults Screening and Intervention.

Rosen T, Shaw A, Elman A, Baek D, Gottesman E, Park S Gerontologist. 2024; 65(2).

PMID: 39693260 PMC: 11792243. DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnae185.

Validation of the detection of elder abuse through emergency care technicians (DETECT) screening tool: a study protocol.

Cannell B, Weitlauf J, Livingston M, Burnett J, Parayil M, Reingle Gonzalez J BMJ Open. 2020; 10(9):e037170.

PMID: 32912985 PMC: 7485249. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037170.

The Decline of Directly Observed Physical Function Performance Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults.

Dong X, Bergren S, Simon M J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017; 72(suppl_1):S11-S15.

PMID: 28575270 PMC: 9989730. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glx046.

The Abuse Intervention Model: A Pragmatic Approach to Intervention for Elder Mistreatment.

Mosqueda L, Burnight K, Gironda M, Moore A, Robinson J, Olsen B J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016; 64(9):1879-83.

PMID: 27550723 PMC: 5026887. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14266.

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