老人虐待的議題在國內外普遍被認為是項社會性問題，且其嚴重性不斷的增長，值得健康照護人員的重視。然而老人虐待的發生類型及原因是多重且複雜的，必須由不同的角度及相關因素探討。因此護理人員應具有老人虐待評估、預防及處理的專業知識及技能，對虐待的危險性指標保持高度敏感性，並進行整體性評估，主動發掘受虐老人問題，適時提供介入措施，防止虐待的問題持續發生，使老人能生活在安心、安樂、安全的環境。

Elder abuse is now recognized internationally as a pervasive and growing problem, needing the attention of health care providers. However, types and causes of elder abuse are multiple and complex, this problem has to be explored from different perspectives and associated variables. Therefore, nurses should possess professional knowledge and skills in assessment, prevention, and management of elder abuse, as well as keep alertness about warning signals. It is necessary for nurses to perform holistic assessment, to intervene actively, and to provide elders safe, easy, and non-threatening environments.