Elder abuse is a critical issue affecting millions of older adults worldwide. Approximately 15.7% of seniors (141 million people) are abused globally. In the U.S., roughly 1 in 10 older adults have experienced abuse. There are various types of elder abuse, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, neglect, and abandonment, each equally capable of impacting the welfare of older adults.
This issue is especially prominent in U.S. nursing homes, with an estimated 16% of residents experiencing abuse. Alarmingly, up to 40% of care facility staff have admitted to committing psychological abuse, with significant percentages also reporting instances of swearing or yelling at residents. Despite this, elder abuse in facilities is shockingly underreported. Only 1 in 24 cases are reported to authorities, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and action to protect vulnerable seniors.
Key Insights
- Approximately 15.7% of older people, or the equivalent of 141 million people, are abused worldwide. The most common form of global abuse is psychological, with 11.6% of elders experiencing it.
- Roughly 1 in 10 Americans ages 70 and older have experienced abuse. That number jumps to 16% for residents of nursing homes.
- There are many different types of elder abuse, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, neglect, and abandonment.
- The most common elder abuse citations in nursing homes are quality of life and care deficiencies, accounting for 27% of all citations.
- Up to 40% of care facility staff have reported committing some form of psychological abuse against older residents during a 12-month time frame. Twenty-three percent report swearing at residents, while 51% admit to yelling.
Elder Abuse Statistics
Elder abuse is an underreported issue, with only an estimated 1 in 24 cases of abuse being reported to the authorities in the U.S. While abuse is most common in nursing homes and other care facilities, nearly 60% of incidents are perpetrated by family members. More specifically, two-thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses.
Overall, approximately 1 in 10 seniors 70 years old and older are abused in the U.S., or an estimated 5 million older people each year.
What Percentage of Elders Are Abused?
Fifty-two diverse studies across 28 countries concluded that the prevalence rate for elder abuse was 15.7%. That means, overall, elder abuse affects 1 in 6 older adults globally, or approximately 141 million people. Nearly 12% of seniors also experience psychological abuse; 6.8% experience financial abuse; 2.6% suffer physical abuse; and 0.9% have endured sexual abuse.
However, as a neglected global public health priority, a clear research gap exists in low-income and middle-income countries. Data from more sources may yield more detailed results based on factors like income and gender.
What Are the Forms of Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse can take many forms, with physical violence only accounting for a fraction of all abuses. The most prevalent types of elder abuse include the following.
Psychological Abuse
Though often overlooked, emotional and psychological abuse is a common issue that affects more than 1 in 10 elders. This type of abuse occurs when someone uses verbal or nonverbal acts to inflict anguish, pain, or distress on others. Examples include insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, isolation, harassment, and more.
Physical Abuse
According to the Older Americans Act, ‘‘physical harm’’ includes bodily injury, impairment, or disease. This harm becomes abuse when it is inflicted intentionally or recklessly. While physical abuse is often associated with acts like hitting, pushing, or kicking, it can also include the use of restraints, force-feeding, overmedicating, or undermedicating.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can be any kind of nonconsensual sexual contact. This includes unwanted touching, sexual assault or battery, sexual harassment, or any sexual interaction with older individuals who are incapable of providing consent.
Neglect
A major issue faced by elders is neglect, which is especially detrimental to those who need assistance with daily tasks. Neglect occurs when a caregiver or fiduciary refuses any portion of an older person’s care, specifically care necessary to maintain a senior’s health or safety. This includes failing to provide food, water, clothing, shelter, and medicine.
Financial Abuse
Given that older people may be more likely to have accumulated wealth and assets, financial abuse can also be a common issue. This includes the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of a senior’s benefits, resources, belongings, or assets for monetary gains or personal profit, as well as actions that deprive them of their rightful access to such things. Examples include anything from stealing possessions to coercing or deceiving an older person into signing away their belongings.
Self-Neglect
When older individuals are cognitively or physically incapable of understanding their actions, they can also suffer from self-neglect. This includes the inability to secure enough food, water, clothing, and shelter, as well as a lack of personal hygiene and medical or mental health care.
Abandonment
Similar to neglect, abandonment is the desertion of an older person by someone responsible for their care. This can be anyone from a nurse to the person who has physical custody of them and can occur in any public or private place.
Which Deficiency Crimes Are Reported Most?
U.S. nursing homes received 94,499 health citations in 2023. In these facilities, nearly 16% of residents have reported being abused, with as many as half of residents with dementia experiencing abuse. That’s significantly more than the estimated 10% of U.S. seniors who experience abuse outside of nursing homes and other care communities.
Of the citations filed in 2023, 27% came from quality of life and care deficiencies. The second and third-most common deficiency categories include resident rights deficiencies (15%) and resident assessment and care planning deficiencies (14%).
Where Does Elder Abuse Occur Most?
Elder abuse rates are highest in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Despite government efforts, up to 40% of care facility staff report committing at least one instance of psychological abuse against residents within a 12-month period. More than half report yelling at residents, and 23% have swore at residents.
The most common type of abuse in these facilities is physical abuse, with 29% of residents experiencing it in some form. Other forms of abuse in care facilities include resident-to-resident abuse (22%), gross neglect (14%), financial abuse (7%), and sexual abuse (7%).
What Are the Signs of Elder Abuse To Watch For?
Elder abuse can be hard to spot, especially when those being abused may lack the physical or cognitive ability to report incidents. Fortunately, there are some key signs to watch out for:
- Physical signs: If you notice any unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, scars, or untreated bedsores, these could all be signs of physical abuse and neglect.
- General neglect: Elders with poor hygiene, inadequate food and water, or dirty and inappropriate clothing may be suffering abuse.
- Lack of medical aids: Especially in nursing homes and hospitals, the prevalence of missing glasses, walkers, dentures, hearing aids, or medications can be signs of abuse.
- Physical deterioration: Elders with sunken eyes, unhealthy skin tones, bleeding, infections, or unexplained weight loss may be facing abuse.
- Behavioral signs: Dismissive attitudes or odd statements about injuries, unreasonable fear or suspicion, lack of interest in social activities, and uncharacteristic changes in behavior can all indicate abuse.
- Financial issues: Signs of insufficient care may manifest as unpaid bills, large withdrawals from bank accounts, or unusual ATM activity.
FAQ
What percentage of seniors are abused?
Approximately 15.7% of older people are abused globally. This is similar to the 16% of seniors abused in U.S. nursing homes and other care facilities. The rate of abuse in the U.S. outside of care facilities is around 10%.
What type of elder abuse is the most common?
The most common type of elder abuse globally is psychological, with 11.6% of older individuals experiencing some form of it. Another 6.8% experience financial abuse, while 2.6% suffer physical abuse, and 0.9% have been subject to sexual abuse.
Within U.S. nursing homes, the most common type of elder abuse is physical, with 29% of residents experiencing it in some form.
What actions are considered to be elder abuse?
Many different actions can be considered elder abuse, including:
- Psychological abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Neglect
- Self-neglect
- Abandonment
What is passive neglect in seniors?
Passive neglect in older people occurs when a caregiver unintentionally fails to provide necessary care and support. This can include abandonment, denying food, and not providing essential health care because of lack of knowledge, illness, or disagreement about the value of offered services.
This form of neglect is distinct from active neglect and self-neglect. In the case of active neglect, the caretaker’s actions are intentional. Whereas self-neglect is due to an older individual’s inability to provide their own care needs, either due to physical or cognitive disability.
What types of evidence would you report for a case of elder abuse?
When elder abuse occurs, it’s important to report it right away. The types of evidence needed will depend on the type of case. For example, financial abuse may require bank statements and other documents that show instances of abuse. On the other hand, physical abuse can be documented with photographic evidence.
Overall, if you or a loved one is facing elder abuse, the best thing you can do is report it effectively. When speaking to authorities, include the following:
- The victim's name, phone number, and address
- The abuser's name (if known) or a description of the individual
- Description and extent of the abuse
- Specific signs of abuse you observed
- Details about the victim’s living conditions
- Information about the victim’s health, illnesses, and medications
- Whether the victim can make their own medical decisions
Sources
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“What is elder abuse?” National Center on Elder Abuse. Evaluated June 6, 2024.
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Muacevic, A., & Adler, J. “Elder Abuse: A Comprehensive Overview and Physician-Associated Challenges.” National Library of Medicine. Evaluated June 6, 2024.
“Elder abuse: How to spot warning signs, get help, and report mistreatment.” American Psychological Association. Evaluated June 6, 2024.
“Types of Elder Abuse.” Lifespan. Evaluated June 6, 2024.
“Elder Abuse Complaints.” NursingHomeAbuseGuide. Evaluated June 6, 2024.
Weissberger, G., et al. “Elder Abuse Characteristics Based on Calls to the National Center on Elder Abuse Resource Line.” National Library of Medicine. Evaluated June 13, 2024.
Storey, J. “Risk factors for elder abuse and neglect: A review of the literature.” ScienceDirect. Evaluated June 13, 2024.
Rosay, A., & Mulford, C. “Prevalence Estimates and Correlates of Elder Abuse in the United States: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.” National Institute of Justice. Evaluated June 13, 2024.