Clinical case · Elder abuse
Her pension keeps disappearing
A 79-year-old woman with dementia has lost weight and missed appointments, and her neighbour says her pension is withdrawn the day it arrives. Recognise the warning pattern, ask safely, and plan a response with the team.
Intermediate 12 minNeeds clinical review
You will learn to
- Name the types of elder abuse and how common each is
- Recognise risk factors in the older person and in the caregiver
- Ask safely and plan a multidisciplinary response within local legal duties
Presentation
Step 1 of 10A 79-year-old widow with Alzheimer's dementia is brought to clinic by her neighbour after missing two appointments. She has lost 6 kg in four months. The neighbour says her son, who lives with her and manages her money, withdraws her pension the day it arrives, and that she is often alone all day.
References
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Intimate Partner Violence and Caregiver Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Adults: Screening. Final recommendation statement, 24 June 2025. Also published as: Silverstein M, Wong JB, et al. Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Caregiver Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2025;334(4):329–338. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.9009 · PubMed 40553450link
- World Health Organization. Abuse of older people. Fact sheet, 15 June 2024. link
- Baek D, Gunaga S, Nickel CH, et al. Screening and Interventions for Elder Mistreatment: Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines 2.0 Systematic Review. Acad Emerg Med. 2026;33(7):e70373. doi:10.1111/acem.70373 · PubMed 42424133
Last updated 2026-10-24.
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