Key takeaways:
Elder abuse is the mistreatment of adults 60 years old or older. It can happen as physical actions or inactions (neglect).
Most commonly, a trusted person or caregiver, such as an adult child or spouse, carries out the abusive behavior. But professional caregivers can abuse elders, too.
By knowing what to look for, you can identify and report suspected elder abuse.
Every year in the U.S., it’s estimated that 10% of adults 60 years and older are victims of elder abuse. Last year this added up to 5 million older Americans. The impact of elder abuse can be devastating: People with confirmed elder abuse were twice as likely to die than those who were not abused.
And this problem isn’t going away. As the aging population continues to grow, elder abuse is likely to continue to be a significant public health concern.
Despite these tragic numbers, elder abuse is underreported and doesn’t get a lot of air time. Awareness of the risks can improve the safety and quality of life for aging and vulnerable members of our communities.
Here’s how to spot the telltale signs — and what you can do if you notice something.
Elder abuse is an action that causes harm to an older adult. Elder neglect is harm caused by disregard or inaction. They often happen together.
Examples of elder abuse and neglect include:
Stealing someone’s money
Failing to provide basic needs and medical care
Making verbal and nonverbal threats
Humiliating or disrespecting someone
Abuse can cause financial, physical, or emotional harm. Often, it’s a devastating violation in a trusting relationship. Abusive behavior toward an older adult can occur in several different ways. And it can be a single or repeated act.
You can help prevent and stop elder abuse and neglect by increasing your awareness, recognizing the signs, and knowing the steps to take. People who experience elder abuse have a 300% higher risk of death than their peers. Your actions can improve the safety and quality of life for others.
The U.S. Department of Justice outlines warning signs of elder abuse. They call them “red flags,” and they break them up by the different types of elder abuse.
These physical attacks — such as hitting, kicking, or slapping — cause bodily injury.
Signs of physical abuse include:
Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
A change in behavior
Controlling behavior from a caregiver
Reports of abuse and injuries from the person being mistreated
These verbal attacks or threats cause fear or distress.
Signs of emotional abuse include:
A change in behavior, eating, or sleeping patterns
New symptoms of anxiety, fear, depression, withdrawal, or agitation
Avoidance behaviors (not interacting with family or friends)
Controlling behavior from a caregiver
Reports of emotional or psychological abuse by the person being abused
Financial or material exploitation can be using or stealing someone’s money or assets. Or it can involve manipulation to access money or assets.
Signs of financial exploitation include:
Unexplained transactions or loss of money
Sudden transfers or withdrawals of large sums of money
Inappropriate use of an older adult’s ATM and credit cards
Debts and unpaid bills despite having sufficient financial resources
Changes to legal financial documents
Unnecessary services being provided by a third party
The sudden appearance of a previously uninvolved relative
Reports of financial worries or exploitations by the person being mistreated
Neglect is when a caregiver fails to provide basic necessities, like clothing, food, water, medical care, or a safe place to live. Abandonment is when a caregiver purposefully leaves an individual somewhere in the community, like at a hospital, nursing home, or a public location.
Signs of neglect and abandonment include:
Poor personal hygiene (irregular or inconsistent bathing, poor dental care, dirty clothing)
Malnourishment, dehydration, or weight loss
Hazardous, unclean, or unsafe living environment
A lack of medical care
A lack of visual, hearing, dental, or walking aids
Insufficient food or resources in the home
Reports of neglect by the person being mistreated
This is unwanted physical contact or harassment.
Signs of sexual abuse include:
Physical symptoms (bruises, genital bleeding, or infections)
Changes in behavior (withdrawn or fearful behavior)
Reports of sexual assault or rape by the survivor of sexual abuse
Often older adults have common characteristics that may mean they have a higher risk of abuse or neglect.
Elder abuse is more likely to happen to a person who:
Is female
Lives alone or in their own home
Is socially isolated
Experiences memory problems or dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease)
Is dependent on others for care (physical and mental health issues)
Has financial stability
There’s no single reason why elder abuse happens. While there are usually a combination of circumstances that make it possible, there are some common threads, such as:
Caregiver burnout and stress
The background of a caregiver
The possibility of financial gain
A strained relationship between a caregiver and an older adult
A previously abusive relationship between an older adult and a caregiver
A shared living environment between a caregiver and an older adult
Estimates show that family members are responsible for about 60% of the cases of elder abuse. This is most commonly an adult child or a spouse. But not all abusive behavior comes from family members — professional caregivers can also mistreat older adults.
People responsible for elder abuse tend to hold a position of trust and power over the person who is abused. And this person may be very familiar with the vulnerabilities of the older adult. And just like with other forms of abuse, many older adults who experience elder abuse don't report abuse due to fear of retaliation. Many also think others won’t believe them.
In all 50 states, there are elder abuse prevention laws. Everyone has the moral responsibility to report suspected abuse of vulnerable individuals.
If you notice any warning signs of elder abuse — start by asking questions. Listen to what they have to say. Ask if you can take notes. Offer your support.
Then, take action and report the abuse. If needed, ask for anonymity.
You don’t need to prove that there is abuse. Your suspicions will be looked into to ensure the person’s safety. When reporting, be ready with information, such as the:
Name and address of the person being mistreated
Details about their situation
Signs of abuse or neglect
Your insights are important, and authorities will take them seriously. To file a report, you don’t need to be related to the person or be taking care of them. They may even be a resident in an elderly living community.
Regardless of where someone lives or who cares for them, every aging adult deserves to feel safe and free from harm.
If the abuse you have noticed needs immediate attention, call 911. Otherwise, you can contact the following agencies:
Adult Protective Services: This is a national nonprofit organization with members in all 50 states. Find your local office. They will investigate the elder abuse claim, file a report, notify other authorities if needed, and provide help for the victim.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: This program can help with abuse that may be happening in a long-term care facility. It’s available in all 50 states.
Resources that provide support to caregivers and older adults include:
The National Center on Elder Abuse: This national helpline provides local resources.
The Family Caregiver Alliance: This program supports caregivers who may be stressed or overwhelmed. Respite services may be available.
Older adults are often vulnerable to abuse, mistreatment, and neglect by the people they depend upon. This is elder abuse, and it can take many shapes, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse. Elder abuse affects as many as 1 in 10 people 60 years old and older. Yet the abuse often goes unreported.
If you’re worried about an older person in your community, know the warning signs and what you can do to help. Everyone has a part to play in keeping older people safe from harm.
American Bar Association. (2021). Types of abuse defined in adult protective services statutes (June 2021).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Fast facts: Preventing elder abuse.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Promoting health for older adults.
Dong, X., et al. (2010). Elder self-neglect and abuse and mortality risk in a community-dwelling population. Journal of the American Medical Association.
Kohn, R., et al. (2016). Caregiving and elder abuse. Medicine and Health, Rhode Island.
National Center on Elder Abuse. (n.d.). Reporting abuse.
National Center on Elder Abuse. (n.d.). Research, statistics, and data.
National Center on Elder Abuse. (2017). Red flags of abuse.
National Council on Aging. (2021). Get the facts on elder abuse.
National Institute on Aging. (2020). Elder abuse.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2013). Causes and characteristics of elder abuse.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2020). Red flags of elder abuse.
U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). State statutes relevant to elder abuse cases.