Elder Abuse
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Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. An older adult is someone age 60 or older. The abuse occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the elder trusts. Common types of elder abuse include:
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse is when an elder experiences illness, pain, injury, functional impairment, distress, or death as a result of the intentional use of physical force and includes acts such as hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, and burning.
Sexual abuse involves forced or unwanted sexual interaction of any kind with an older adult. This may include unwanted sexual contact or penetration or non-contact acts such as sexual harassment.
Emotional or Psychological abuse refers to verbal or nonverbal behaviors that inflict anguish, mental pain, fear, or distress on an older adult. Examples include humiliation or disrespect, verbal and non-verbal threats, harassment, and geographic or interpersonal isolation.
Neglect is the failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs. These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and essential medical care.
Financial abuse is the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an elder’s money, benefits, belongings, property, or assets for the benefit of someone other than the older adult.
For more information about elder abuse definitions please see Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Core Data Elements pdf icon [3.8 MB, 124 Pages, 508]. In the following section, physical forms of elder abuse will be examined in more detail.
To report elder abuse or find services for older adults and their families, visit The Eldercare Locatorexternal icon. You can also access the Locator by calling 1-800-677-1116. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging.
Local help and information: Adult Protective Services: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/adult_protective_services.html, phone: 800-339-4661
