What to Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse

We love to read heartwarming stories about devoted caregivers and thriving seniors. When we look at seniors who are well cared for, we think, “Of course – that’s the way it should be.”

Unfortunately, the good stories don’t tell the whole tale of senior care in the United States. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), 1 out of 10 seniors is a victim of abuse. What’s more, elder abuse is typically underreported. The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study estimates that only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities.
Here, NCEA Deputy Director Julie Schoen offers tips on how to intervene in cases of suspected elder abuse.

What Is Elder Abuse?

“Elder abuse takes many forms,” says Schoen. The major categories of mistreatment include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Elder abuse can happen at the hands of a trusted friend or family member (domestic abuse), or it can be perpetrated by caregivers at a senior care facility (institutional abuse).

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