''Longstanding divergences in the definitions and data elements used to collect information on Elder Abuse (EA) make it difficult to measure EA nationally, compare the problem across states, counties, and cities, and establish trends and patterns in the occurrence and experience of EA. To help remedy these problems and promote public health surveillance of EA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a diverse group of EA experts collaboratively produced version 1.0 of uniform definitions and recommended core data elements for possible use in standardizing the collection of EA data locally and nationally. Proposed uniform definitions were developed for the following phenomena (and for associated terms or elements that could be sources of confusion or disagreement): Elder Abuse, Involved Parties, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Neglect, Financial Abuse/Exploitation, Other Related Phenomena, Elder Abuse Circumstances or Consequences (associated concepts).
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The development and use of uniform definitions and recommended core data elements is an important first component of a larger process addressing data collection features that cause important discrepancies, gaps, and limitations in what is known about EA. Their use may move the EA prevention field closer to obtaining robust epidemiologic estimates which may provide a stronger basis for evaluating population level prevention/intervention strategies and setting prevention priorities.
As with the other CDC guidelines for uniform definitions and recommended data elements, this initial release of Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Core Data Elements, Version 1.0 is intended to serve as a starting point."
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention