Investigation of an Elder Abuse Case in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward

Hiromasa Inoue ； Nobuko Kawabe ； Yoshiro Tsuji ； Shinsuke Ishino ； Yasukazu Katsumi

《International Journal of Gerontology》 15卷3期 (2021/07) Pp. 278-280

https://doi.org/10.6890/IJGE.202107_15(3).0017

摘要

A woman in her early 90swas transferred to our convalescent rehabilitation ward (CRW) because of the development of disuse syndrome after surgery for the treatment of proctocele a year before. The woman had a subcutaneous hemorrhage around the left eye orbit, in addition to many hemorrhages in the bilateral upper arms and bilateral femurs, which were the characteristics of injury inflicted by another person. We reported the case to the authorities as physical abuse, which was certified as ＂Level B＂ (immediately protected when manifestation of abuse is recognized). The authorities decided to monitor her son (perpetrator) to prevent further elder abuse. Her activity of daily living was improved by intensive rehabilitation in our CRW. She was discharged from our hospital and lived at home with her son again while being observed by the authorities. CRWs would have to play a prominent role in undetected elder abuse cases.

關鍵字

dementia ； physical abuse ； subcutaneous hemorrhage ； Japan