A recently published University of Otago study argued the criteria for suspicion of elder abuse needed to be changed in screening methods, to include the category "unable to determine abuse".
Co-author and Otago psychological medicine associate professor Yoram Barak said it would substantially improve the identification of at-risk older adults, providing them with better protection.
Researchers used data from the interRAI Abuse-Clinical Assessment Protocol — a suite of clinical assessment instruments used in residential aged care, and home and community services in New Zealand, to identify any risks to a person’s health.
In an extension of a previous pilot study, more than 186,000 assessments over nine years were analysed.
They found by including those evaluated as being "unable to determine abuse", capture rates of at-risk individuals more than doubled from 2.5% to 5.9%.
Those classed as being at high risk of abuse tended to be male, were 79.2 years old on average, 49.6% lived alone, 39.4% suffered from depression, and a majority were assessed as not having independent decision making.
In comparison, when related to the general sample, the "unable to determine" group were on average 80.1 years old, 33.5% had depression and most were assessed as not having independent decision-making.
"While the ‘unable to determine’ group is distinct from the general sample, they have similar, though less extreme, characteristics as the ‘high risk’ group.
"Unfortunately, in New Zealand, as in most countries, ageism is rife.
"However, combating elder abuse is not a lost battle.
"We urge policy makers to take this important step in improving the lives of vulnerable older adults.
"This simple change would have a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable older adults, enabling them to get the support they need."
Elder abuse had been a major global health threat for decades, yet it remained a form of victimisation receiving limited attention, resources and research.
"This is despite it having far-reaching and long-lasting impacts on older adults, their families and communities."
One in six older adults are victims of elder abuse, but its prevalence is often undetected and under-reported.
Prof Barak said New Zealand’s ageing population would only exacerbate the issue.
By 2030, one in six people worldwide would be aged 60 or older, and about 16% of them would experience at least one form of maltreatment.
"Better screening is a valuable first step towards improving elder abuse detection and response," he said.
