老人虐待的評估與預防措施

Assessment and Preventive Interventions in Abuse of the Elderly

老人受虐發生的原因以老人身心功能障礙、照顧者承受照護壓力、有家庭暴力史及缺乏社會支持等因素為最常見。護理人員在面對高危險個案時，需進行整體性之評估，包括疾病史、家庭史、身體及心理社會層面的評估。經由維持老人最佳的身心功能、加強老人照護的知識與技能、學習有效的溝通技巧等介入措施，可預防老人受虐的發生。在社區或醫療機構中，護理人員是發現可能受虐者之第一線專業人員，因此具備老人受虐的評估、預防與處理之知識與技能是不可或缺的。

Major risk factors for abuse of the elderly (EA) include impairment of physical and mental functions, caregiver stress, history of family violence, and inadequacy of social support. Comprehensive assessment for high-risk cases should include disease history, family history, and physical-psychosocial functions. Promotion and maintenance of psychophysical functions of the elderly, enforcement of knowledge and skills of elderly care, and effective communication skills are proven to be able to prevent the occurrence of EA. In communities or medical institutions, nurses are at the front line in finding potential EA cases. It is therefore necessary for nurses to possess knowledge and skills about prevention, assessment and management of EA.