Prevention of elder maltreatment (elder abuse)
UN Photo/Gaston Guarda
Between 4-6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment in the home. Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. It is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations
WHO’s work to address the problem of elder maltreatment promotes the use of science-based approaches to better understand the magnitude and consequences; causes, and what works to prevent such violence, and to mitigate the harm suffered by victims.
Publications and campaign materials
The Toronto Declaration on the prevention of elder abuse (2002)
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World report on violence and health, Chapter 5, Abuse of the elderly
pdf, 150kb - Missing voices: views of older people on elder abuse
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A global response to elder abuse and neglect: Building primary health care capacity to deal with the problem world
pdf, 3.94Mb -
Discussing screening for elder abuse at primary health care level
pdf, 1.35Mb - Posters