from seeing close friends and relatives is another AgePage form of emotional abuse. 

 Neglect occurs when the caregiver does not 

try to respond to the older adult’s needs. This 

Elder Abuse 

Gerald, 73, had a stroke, which left him unable to care 

for himself. His son offered to help, and Gerald moved 

in with him and his family. But Gerald’s son and 

daughter-in-law worked all day and were busy with 

their kids in the evenings. Gerald hated being a burden 

on them and tried to take care of himself. 

One day, Gerald’s friend Carmen came to visit. She was 

surprised to see food stains on his clothes and sores on his 

heels. His room smelled like urine, too. Gerald seemed 

depressed and withdrawn — not at all like the jolly, witty 

friend she’d known for years. Carmen worried that 

Gerald’s family was neglecting him. 

Abuse can happen to anyone — no matter the 

person’s age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or 

cultural background. Each year, hundreds of 

thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, 

neglected, or fnancially exploited. This is called 

elder abuse. 

Abuse can happen in many places, including 

the older person’s home, a family member’s house, 

an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The 

mistreatment of older adults can be by family 

members, strangers, health care providers, 

caregivers, or friends. 

Types of Abuse 

There are many types of abuse: 

 Physical abuse happens when someone causes 

bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping. This 

may also include restraining an older adult against 

his/her will, such as locking them in a room or 

tying them to furniture. 

 Emotional abuse, sometimes called 

psychological abuse, can include a caregiver saying 

hurtful words, yelling, threatening, or repeatedly 

ignoring the older adult. Keeping that person 

may include physical, emotional, and social 

needs, or withholding food, medications, or 

access to health care. 

 Abandonment is leaving an older adult who 

needs help alone without planning for his or her care. 

 Sexual abuse involves a caregiver forcing an 

older adult to watch or be part of sexual acts. 

 Financial abuse happens when money or 

belongings are stolen from an older adult. It can 

include forging checks, taking someone else’s 

retirement or Social Security benefts, or using a 

person’s credit cards and bank accounts without 

their permission. It also includes changing names 

on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or 

title to a house without permission. 

Who Is Being Abused? 

Most victims of abuse are women, but some are 

men. Likely targets are older adults who have no 

family or friends nearby and people with 

disabilities, memory problems, or dementia. 

Elder abuse can happen to any older adult, but 

often affects those who depend on others for help 

with activities of everyday life — including 

bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. People 

who are frail may appear to be easy victims. 

Money Matters 

After his mother died, Victor started looking after his 

80-year-old grandfather, Jasper. Because of his failing 

eyesight, Jasper could no longer drive to the bank. So, 

Jasper permitted Victor to withdraw money from the bank 

every month to pay bills. Lately, it seems the bank balance 

is lower than it should be. Jasper wonders if Victor is 

keeping some cash for himself. 

Financial abuse is a widespread and hard-todetect issue. Even someone you’ve never met can 

steal your fnancial information using the 

telephone, internet, or email. Be careful about 

sharing any fnancial information over the phone 

or online — you don’t know who will use it. 

1 
In addition to the theft of an older person’s 

money or belongings, fnancial abuse also includes: 

Financial neglect, which occurs when an older 

adult’s fnancial responsibilities such as paying 

rent or mortgage, medical expenses or insurance, 

utility bills, or property taxes, are ignored, and the 

person’s bills are not paid. 

Financial exploitation, which is the misuse, 

mismanagement, or exploitation of property, 

belongings, or assets. This includes using an older 

adult’s assets without consent, under false pretense, 

or through intimidation and/or manipulation. 

Health care fraud can be committed by 

doctors, hospital staff, or other health care 

workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for 

the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare 

claims, or charging for care that wasn’t provided. 

Older adults and caregivers should keep an eye 

out for this type of fraud. 

What Are Signs of Abuse? 

You may see signs of abuse or neglect when you 

visit an older adult at home or in an eldercare 

facility. You may notice the person: 

 Stops taking part in activities he or she enjoys 

 Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes 

 Has trouble sleeping 

 Loses weight for no reason 

 Becomes withdrawn or acts agitated or violent 

 Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back 

and forth 

 Has unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars 

 Has broken eyeglasses/frames, or physical 

signs of violence or being restrained 

 Develops bed sores or other preventable 

conditions 

 Lacks medical aids (glasses, walker, dentures, 

hearing aid, medications) 

 Is behind on mortgage or rent payments or has 

been evicted 

 Has hazardous, unsafe, or unclean living 

conditions 

 Displays signs of insuffcient care or unpaid 

bills despite adequate fnancial resources 

If you see signs of abuse, try talking with the 

older adult to fnd out what’s going on. For 

instance, the abuse may be from another resident 

and not from someone who works at the nursing 

home or assisted living facility. Most importantly, 

get help or report what you see to adult protective 

services. You do not need to prove that abuse is 

occurring. Professionals will investigate. 

Who Can Help? 

Elder abuse will not stop on its own. Someone 

else needs to step in and help. Many older adults 

are too ashamed to report mistreatment. Or, 

they’re afraid if they make a report it will get back 

to the abuser and make the situation worse. 

If you think someone you know is being 

abused — physically, emotionally, or fnancially 

— talk with him or her when the two of you are 

alone. You could say you think something is wrong 

and you’re worried. Offer to take him or her to get 

help, for instance, at a local adult protective 

services agency. 

Many local, state, and national social service 

agencies can help with emotional, legal, and 

fnancial abuse. 

The Administration for Community Living has 

a National Center on Elder Abuse where you can 

learn about how to report abuse, where to get 

help, and state laws that deal with abuse and 

neglect. Go to https://ncea.acl.gov for more 

information. Or, call the Eldercare Locator 

weekdays at 800-677-1116. 

Most states require that doctors and lawyers 

report elder mistreatment. Family and friends can 

also report it. Do not wait. Help is available. 

If you think someone is in urgent danger, call 

911 or your local police to get help right away. 

2 
 

Caregiver Stress — You’re Not Alone 

Caring for an older adult can be rewarding. It 

can also be demanding, diffcult, and often 

stressful. Caregivers may need to be available 

around the clock to fx meals, provide nursing 

care, take care of laundry and cleaning, drive to 

doctor’s appointments, and pay bills. Often, family 

caregivers have to give up paying jobs to make 

time for these new responsibilities. 

It may be hard to keep a positive outlook when 

there’s little hope of the older adult’s physical and 

mental condition improving. Over time, the 

demands and stress of caregiving can take their 

toll. A caregiver might not even know he or she is 

being neglectful or abusive. 

If you are a caregiver, make sure you have time 

to rest and take care of your needs. Ask a family 

member or friend to help for a weekend, or even 

for a few hours. Having time to take care of 

yourself will help you remain healthy and have 

patience and energy for caregiving. Churches, 

synagogues, and other faith-based organizations 

in your community may have volunteers who can 

visit and help on a regular basis. Respite care 

provides a break for caregivers. It can be arranged 

for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks. 

Visit the ARCH National Respite Network and 

Resource Center’s National Respite Locator 

(https://archrespite.org/respitelocator) to fnd respite 

services in your area. Caregiving support groups 

may also help. Exercise can help with caregiving 

stress and emotional well-being. 

What Is the Long-Term Effect 

of Abuse? 

Most physical wounds heal in time. But elder 

abuse can lead to early death, harm physical and 

psychological health, destroy social and family ties, 

cause devastating fnancial loss, and more. 

Any type of mistreatment can leave the abused 

person feeling fearful and depressed. Sometimes, 

the victim thinks the abuse is his or her fault. 

Adult protective service agencies can suggest 

support groups and counseling that can help the 

abused person heal the emotional wounds. 

For More Information About Elder 

Abuse and Where to Get Help 

Eldercare Locator 

800-677-1116 (toll-free)

eldercarelocator@n4a.org

https://eldercare.acl.gov

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

855-411-2372 | 855-729-2372 (TTY/toll-free)

www.consumerfnance.gov/practitioner-resources/

resources-for-older-adults

National Adult Protective Services Association 

217-523-4431 

www.napsa-now.org

National Center on Elder Abuse 

855-500-3537 (toll-free)

ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov

https://ncea.acl.gov

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

800-799-7233 (toll-free, 24/7) 

800-787-3224 (TTY/toll-free) 

www.thehotline.org/get-help 

National Elder Fraud Hotline 

833-FRAUD-11 or 833-372-8311

https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov

U.S. Department of Justice 

202-514-2000 | 800-877-8339 (TTY/toll-free)

elder.justice@usdoj.gov

www.justice.gov/elderjustice

www.justice.gov/elderjustice/roadmap

For information on health and aging, including 

resources on caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease, 

contact: 

National Institute on Aging Information Center 

800-222-2225 (toll-free) 

800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free) 

niaic@nia.nih.gov 

www.nia.nih.gov 

Visit www.nia.nih.gov/health to fnd more health 

and aging information from NIA and subscribe to 

email alerts. Visit https://order.nia.nih.gov to order 

free print publications. 

National Institute 

on Aging 

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health® September 2020 3