According to the Department of Justice:
14.9 percent of the population are 65 years of age and older. It is projected that this statistic will continue to grow.
10 percent of older adults will experience some form of elder abuse annually. Some elder individuals will experience more than one type of elder abuse at a given time.
Elder abuse can result in various health issues such as deterioration of health, depression, suicide, financial loss, loss of quality of life and loss of independence
Caregiver neglect makes up 5.1 percent of elder abuse while financial exploitation comprises 5.2 percent of all elder abuse cases. Psychological abuse follows at 4.6 percent of all elder abuse cases. Although rare, physical and sexual abuse make up 2.2 percent of all elder abuse cases.
Baby boomers are migrating to rural areas where elder abuse is reported far less. It is projected that the number of older adults moving to rural communities will continue to increase over the next decade.
Risk factors such as dementia are far more prevalent amongst elder individuals that live in rural settings.
Per every 10,000 residents in a rural setting, there are 26.1 cases of elder abuse. Per every 10,000 residents in an urban setting, there are 24.1 incidents of elder abuse.