Social isolation of caregivers and older persons, and the ensuing lack of social support, is a significant risk factor for elder maltreatment by care-givers.
Beyond the health and social consequences of child maltreatment, there is an economic impact, including costs of hospitalization, mental health treatment, child welfare, and longer-term health costs.
This number underestimates the true extent of the problem, as a significant proportion of deaths due to child maltreatment are incorrectly attributed to falls, burns, drowning and other causes.
Caregiver support after maltreatment has occurred to reduce the likelihood of its reoccurrence has been shown to work.
