What is Elder Abuse?
The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “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.”
Elder Abuse Occurs In Many Terrible Forms
Scroll down to learn more about the 6 different forms we have identified.
Elder Neglect
When a responsible caregiver fails to meet the medical, social, or psychological needs of an older adult.
Physical Abuse
When violence, force, or the threat of force is used to harm an older person.
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Financial Abuse / Exploitation
When someone takes money or property from an older person without their knowledge, understanding or consent.
Psychological Abuse
When someone attempts to intimidate, demean, or belittle an older person with words or actions.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
–Margaret Meade
Sexual Abuse
When someone forces unwanted sexual contact on an older adult.
Nursing Home Abuse
When any of form of abuse occurs in an institutional setting such as a nursing home.
We are Taking Action to End Elder Abuse
Learn more about what we do below
RESEARCH
We support ground breaking research that seeks to prevent, detect, and treat the abuse of elders that occurs in community or nursing home settings.
DIRECT SERVICE
We support the creation of innovative programs for communities, hospitals, and nursing homes to serve victims and the people who care about them, and we provide technical support to communities who want to replicate them.
EDUCATION
We educate both the public and professionals on the epidemic of elder abuse and what they can do to prevent or intervene in this most recently recognized form of interpersonal violence.
POLICY
We advocate for evidence-based policies to combat this abuse in several ways, including testimony before governmental bodies and the publication of important papers intended to help legislators and policy makers.