MedAmerica's Medical Director Patricia Bomba, MD,
has led a quality initiative framing elder abuse
as a growing and alarming public health issue that
is present in every community, among all social
strata. Elder abuse is underrecognized,
underreported and underprosecuted - it is a
hidden epidemic that results in:
increased
mortality rates
unnecessary suffering, injury, pain, decreased quality of life,
loss or violation of human rights.
Any vulnerable older adult is at risk
of elder mistreatment.
Types of elder
abuse include physical, psychological,
sexual, financial exploitation, self-neglect,
abandonment and domestic violence of late life.
While neglect is the most common form of elder abuse,
financial exploitation is the fastest growing form of
elder abuse and is frequently linked with other types of
abuse.
The challenge for the community is to balance the
duty to protect the safety of the vulnerable elder with
the elder's right to self-determination.
The Bomba Letter is written by our medical
director, Dr. Patricia Bomba, a well-known geriatrician with over
twenty years of private practice. This monthly newsletter covers
issues of interest on elder abuse and palliative care. To read The
Bomba Letter in PDF, click on an issue below.
Alcohol & Medication Don't Mix!
This brochure premiered at the May 23, 2002, Conference on Medical Implications of Elder Abuse & Neglect, hosted by MedAmerica's Medical Director, Patricia Bomba, M.D. It provides extensive information on the issue of older adult substance misuse by narrowing in on the effects of mixing alcohol and medication. In addition, it serves as a great reference too!
Contribute and Help Prevent Elder Abuse!
By using our contributory
coupon, the MedAmerica Companies will match your contribution dollar for dollar and donate the proceeds to agencies involved in elder abuse prevention.
Elder Abuse Education
The Elder Abuse Diagnostic Tool and the Bomba CD are for health care professionals to assist them with the prevention of elder abuse.
