Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention
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. May 2009 |
| Archived Issues: | |
 | 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. |
 | Elder Abuse Diagnostic Tool: presented at the California Elder Abuse Conference by Dr. Patricia Bomba Bomba
CD-Rom: If you would like to receive a copy, please call 1-800-544-0327 |