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Elder Abuse

Home > Healthy Aging > Safety and Abuse > Elder Abuse

• Nursing Home Abuse
• How Can Elder Abuse Be Prevented?
• What Family Members Can Do
• Additional Resources

Elder abuse is a very serious problem in the United States. Some older adults may be at greater risk of abuse because they live alone or don't get out much. Also, some older adults are easily confused, which also puts them at risk. Abuse can occur in your home, in a nursing home, or in public.

Caregivers who are unable to cope with the demands of caring for an older adult might release some of this stress by taking advantage of someone who is vulnerable, such as an older adult.

• Professional caregivers
• Relatives
• Spouses
• Partners
• Doctors
• Lawyers
• Bankers
• Accountants
• Strangers

Nursing Home Abuse

Most elder abuse occurs at home. However, a lot of abuse occurs in long-term care facilities, such as in nursing homes, out of sight of the general public.

Nursing home abuse can take any form:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Financial exploitation

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides advocates who can help choose a safe nursing home and resolve elder abuse complaints in a long-term care facility.

How Can Elder Abuse Be Prevented?

Older adults can take these steps to prevent abuse:

• Be socially active and avoid spending too much time alone. Being cut off from other people can put you at a higher risk of abuse. Keep in touch with family and friends.
• If you are not happy with the care you are getting in your home, speak up. You have a right to change. This applies to all caregivers — even family.
• If you live in a long-term care facility and are not happy with your care, speak up. If you do not have family members who can help, contact your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman's purpose is to be your advocate and to help you.
• Plan for your own financial future with a trusted person or persons. Make sure that your finances are in order. It's also important to tell family, caregivers, and doctors your health care wishes. For more information on financial and other future planning, see Planning Your Future.

What Family Members Can Do

Family members and friends who are not caregivers of the older adult can help to prevent abuse by:

• Watching for warning signs that might signal abuse (bruising, soreness, agitation, fear, refusal to speak).
• Making sure that the older adult is eating properly and taking required medications. A weakened older adult may not be able to think clearly about the care being given.
• Gaining trust so that the older adult allows you more oversight in financial and caretaking matters.
• Scanning bank accounts and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
• Calling and visiting as often as you are able. Keep in contact.

Many states have 24-hour toll-free numbers for receiving confidential reports of abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse can help you find services in the state where the older person lives. For help with locating elder care services, contact Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Age Page: Crime and Older People — This fact sheet discusses fraud, identity theft, and elder abuse and explains what you can do to protect yourself from these crimes.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/crime.asp

2.     Domestic Violence: Older Women Can Be Victims Too — This fact sheet lists some of the warning signs of domestic abuse that occurs later in life.

   http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/pdf/publication/OLDERWOMEN2-COLUMNFINAL10-11-05.pdf...

3.   Major Types of Elder Abuse (Copyright © National Center on Elder Abuse) — This publication provides information on the many different types of elder abuse, which can include: physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial or material exploitation. It also contains information on elderly "self-neglect" as a form of abuse.

   http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/FAQ/Basics/Types_Of_Abuse.aspx

4.   What Is Elder Abuse? — This publication gives information on the prevalence of elder abuse, what types of abuse are common, and what the Administration on Aging is doing to combat this problem.

   http://www.aoa.gov/AoAroot/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/EA_Prevention/whatIsEA.aspx

5. Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions (Copyright © American Psychological Association) — This online publication provides information on the signs of elder abuse. It explains why elder abuse may occur, ways to prevent it, and what to do if elder abuse is suspected. A list of resources is also provided at the end of the publication.

   http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse.aspx

6. Help for Victims and Vulnerable Persons (Copyright © NCPEA) — This publication links to information about where to find help if you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse.

   http://www.preventelderabuse.org/help/help.html

7. State Directory of Helplines, Hotlines, and Elder Abuse Prevention Resources (Copyright © National Center on Elder Abuse) — This publication lists elder abuse hotlines by state.

   http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Find_Help/State_Resources.aspx

Organizations

1.   Administration on Aging, HHS
2.   National Center on Elder Abuse, AOA, HHS
3. Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect
4. National Center for Victims of Crime
5. National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
6. National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
7. National Senior Citizens Law Center

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated August 12, 2010.