Claim: Financial crimes may involve harm or distress to an older person.

Elder abuse -LRB- also called `` elder mistreatment , '' `` senior abuse , '' `` abuse in later life , '' `` abuse of older adults , '' `` abuse of older women , '' and `` abuse of older men '' -RRB- is `` a single , or repeated act , or lack of appropriate action , occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust , which causes harm or distress to an older person . '' This definition has been adopted by the World Health Organization -LRB- WHO -RRB- from a definition put forward by Action on Elder Abuse in the UK . Laws protecting the elderly from abuse are similar to and related to , laws protecting dependent adults from abuse .   The core element to the harm of elder abuse is the `` expectation of trust '' of the older person toward their abuser . Thus , it includes harms by people the older person knows , or have a relationship with , such as a spouse , partner or family member , a friend or neighbor , or people that the older person relies on for services . Many forms of elder abuse are recognized as types of domestic violence or family violence since they are committed by family members . Paid caregivers have also been known to prey on their elderly patients .   While there are a variety of circumstances considered as elder abuse , it does not include general criminal activity against older persons , such as home break-ins , `` muggings '' in the street or `` distraction burglary '' , where a stranger distracts an older person at the doorstep , while another person enters the property to steal .   The abuse of elders by caregivers is a worldwide issue . In 2002 , WHO brought international attention to the issue of elder abuse . Over the years , government agencies and community professional groups , worldwide , have specified elder abuse as a social problem . In 2006 the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse -LRB- INPEA -RRB- designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day -LRB- WEAAD -RRB- and an increasing number of events are held across the globe on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse , and highlight ways to challenge such abuse .