How Does Elder Abuse Impact Healthcare Costs?

Elder abuse leads to significant negative health outcomes that require medical intervention, often resulting in increased healthcare costs for individuals, families, and public health systems. Physical injuries, psychological trauma, and neglect associated with elder abuse increase demand for hospitalizations, long-term care, and specialized mental health services, thereby imposing a substantial economic burden.

How Elder Abuse Increases Healthcare Costs

1. Physical Injuries and Hospitalization

Abuse such as physical assault or neglect leads to fractures, bruises, wounds, and other injuries requiring emergency care, surgeries, and prolonged hospital stays.

Increased visits to clinics and specialists for treatment and rehabilitation.

2. Mental Health Treatment

Emotional and psychological abuse cause depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive decline, increasing demand for counseling, psychiatric care, and medications.

Long-term mental health care adds to overall medical expenses.

3. Chronic Condition Exacerbation

Neglect and financial abuse can disrupt medication adherence and routine care, worsening chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions.

This leads to more frequent doctor visits, hospitalizations, and complex treatments.

4. Long-Term Care and Institutionalization

Abused elders may require long-term residential care or assisted living facilities, which are costly and often strain public welfare resources.

Early institutionalization due to abuse-related disability raises healthcare spending.

5. Increased Caregiving Burden

Families and caregivers spend more on medical supplies, home care services, and personal care due to abuse consequences.

Economic productivity loss if family members reduce work hours or leave jobs to provide care.

Economic Burden on Families and Society

Direct medical costs for treatment and rehabilitation increase significantly.

Indirect costs include lost income, legal expenses, and reduced quality of life.

Public health systems bear costs of emergency response, social services, and elder protection programs.

Example

A 75-year-old man suffering from neglect by family members develops untreated pressure ulcers and severe infections requiring hospitalization. His extended hospital stay, antibiotic treatments, and later admission to a nursing home greatly increase healthcare expenses borne by his family and government welfare programs.