Abstract

ROJAS RODRIGUEZ, JULIANA; BARRIOS MARTINEZ, MARÍA CAMILA  and  HERNANDEZ RINCON, ERWIN HERNANDO. Comprehensive Approach to the Elderly in the Face of Different Forms of Abuse: Boarding from Family Medicine in Colombia. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2021, vol.37, n.2, pp.506-524.  Epub May 16, 2022. ISSN 0120-5552.  https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.37.2.618.972.

Population ageing is an important issue due to its rapid and progressive growth in the last years. In addition, with increasing age, the degree of functional dependence increases, and with it, the likelihood of abuse in older adults, becoming a global social and public health problem. The aim of this article is to show the importance of abuse in older adults, and of early suspition and discovery, in order to carry out a comprehensive approach. This narrative review included systematic reviews, literature reviews, case reports, and other elements such as local news in Colombia, from 2015 to 2019. There is no consensus on the exact definition, however, the most accepted is the proposal of the World Health Organization and the Organization of American States. Several risk factors associated with its perpetuation have been identified, including relational, individual, sociocultural, and community factors. The abuse of older adults is classified into five groups: physical, emotional or psychological, economic or financial, sexual abuse, and neglect, the latter also includes abandonment. There are different screening tools for older adult abuse, among which the most used is the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI), and strategies that help the primary care physician to early recognition and carry out a holistic approach. Both in Colombia and worldwide, the Family Physician can establish closer contact with the older adults and their environment, generating a climate of trust and empathy that helps the primary care professional to early detection and prevention of any kind of abuse in this population.

Keywords : Elder abuse; elder neglect; aged; Colombia; primary health care; family practice.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )