Interventional Strategies and Educational Programmes to Guide Nurses in the Management of Elder Abuse: A Scoping Review

Nurs Open. 2026 May;13(5):e70573. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70573.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To identify and describe the existing educational programmes and interventions intended to assist nurses in the identification and management of elder abuse.

DESIGN: Scoping Review.

METHODS: A scoping review of the literature published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the methodological framework for scoping studies.

DATA SOURCES: The final search was conducted on June 15, 2024, using the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Review databases.

RESULTS: Of the 432 articles originally identified as eligible, 13 met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the present review. The results revealed that 8 unique educational programmes and 4 interventions have been previously developed with the goal of assisting healthcare professionals, including nurses, in the recognition and management of elder abuse.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nurses work in close proximity with elders, which puts them in an optimal position to identify, assess and manage potential cases of elder abuse. Educational programmes and interventions can provide nurses with the knowledge required to manage elder abuse in an effective and professional manner.

IMPACT: Elder abuse is a multifaceted public health issue that can result in life-changing physical, psychological or financial consequences. The prevalence of elder abuse is projected to increase in response to a rapidly aging global population. Educational training and interventions for nurses have demonstrated their effectiveness in appropriately managing elder abuse situations. Despite this, the review revealed that there is no evidence-based tool that nurses can use during clinical practice or community assessments to guide the management of elder abuse. Future research should focus on the development of an easy-to-use and accessible tool that nurses can implement to appropriately manage elder abuse. The EQUATOR guidelines for PRISMA were met. No patient or public contribution.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

PMID:42062240 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70573