Table 1.
Characteristics of Emergency Department Visits for Physical Elder Abuse with Injury (n=31), 1981-1994
| n | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism of Injury | ||
| Beating with fists / assault | 10 | 32 |
| Striking with household object | 8 | 26 |
| Pushing or Throwing | 6 | 19 |
| Stabbing | 2 | 6 |
| Grabbing | 2 | 6 |
| Fall after altercation | 1 | 3 |
| Kicking | 1 | 3 |
| Strangulation | 1 | 3 |
| Unarmed fight / brawl between victim and abuser | 1 | 3 |
| No explanation / found down | 3 | 10 |
| Injury attributed to “fall” | 4 | 13 |
| X-ray or CT scan ordered | 21 | 68 |
| Disposition | ||
| Discharge home | 19 | 61 |
| Discharge to SNF | 1 | 3 |
| Discharge to Other Location | 1 | 3 |
| Admission | 9 | 29 |