--- title: "Elder Abuse: How to Identify and Prevent" description: Each year, up to five million Americans fall victim to elder abuse. Elder abuse can include financial, emotional, physical, sexual, and neglect. image: https://www.living50.com/hubfs/Plain%201024x512/Copy%20of%20Elder%20Abuse%20How%20to%20Identify%20and%20Prevent.jpg --- - [Home](https://www.living50.com) - [Money](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/money) - [RetireSmart](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/retiresmart) - [Managing Money](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/managing-money) - [Housing](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/housing) - [Affording Long-term Care](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/affording-long-term-care) - [Medicare](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/medicare) - [Generosity](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/generosity) - [Lifestyle](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) - [Mindset](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/mindset) - [Relationships](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/relationships) - [Love & Dating](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/dating) - [Grandparenting](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/grandparenting) - [Friendship](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/friendship) - 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The suspect, who was also a patient at the time, was shown repeatedly punching and cussing at the victim. Although no staff members were involved in this incident, it raises concern that the staff was unaware of the incident until they saw the video. In June of 2017, Janet Yu discovered that her 90-year-old mother was a victim of financial abuse by her financial planner at Royal Mutual Funds Inc., an RBC subsidiary and a mutual funds dealer. [The unauthorized transfer of funds resulted in over $120,000](https://globalnews.ca/news/7465223/90-year-old-rbc-client-60k-fraud-advisor/). These unauthorized transfers supposedly went unnoticed because they were processed using Yu’s client card number and the assigned online banking password. ## **What is Elder Abuse?** The above are only two examples of elder abuse, a growing problem in today’s society that can cost seniors their security, dignity, and even their lives in extreme cases. Elder abuse can include financial abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. It is important to understand that abuse can occur anywhere, including in the home or a senior living facility. Often, abusers are someone that a person trusts, such as family members, friends, or caregivers. Sixty percent of elder abusers are family members, while 24.3% of elder abusers are senior living facility caregivers. ### **How Prevalent is Elder Abuse?** Each year, [up to five million Americans fall victim to elder abuse](https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse). While abuse can impact anyone over the age of 60, older women are at a higher risk of becoming victims of neglect and financial abuse. In contrast, older men are at a higher risk of becoming a victim of physical abuse. When it comes to the financial abuse of elders, the loss accounts for more than $36.5 billion each year. [![SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7364579/interactive-131235270293.png)](https://www.living50.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ%2Fw22oTWI7EhGu9hVnb4V%2BV1tLtLMNEjVNXMoIqbPynrAmPsJsp6nix99HFrQ30w1uOrg3lCOsfrmvOk%2F62T7WNvqBOaYR6qokGYGJPs4IxwYAYQG5cSsx2q9B3iIdsZvo82G3s8HAgM6J9jUkehgluBadnShQSNq2Ll4JIfqrGcbJjB8%3D&webInteractiveContentId=131235270293&portalId=7364579) ### **Types of Elder Abuse** - Physical Abuse - Emotional Abuse - Sexual Abuse - Financial Abuse - Neglect ### **How to Detect Elder Abuse** [![Portrait of elder woman experiencing depression](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Portrait%20of%20elder%20woman%20having%20seasonal%20depression.jpeg?width=300&name=Portrait%20of%20elder%20woman%20having%20seasonal%20depression.jpeg)It is estimated that one in ten people aged 60 or older have been victims of abuse, but only one in twenty-four cases of elder abuse are reported](https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse). This being said, learning the [signs of elder abuse](https://www.living50.com/csl-blog/how-to-recognize-the-signs-of-elder-abuse)is the first step in helping victims. A person that has experienced abuse often will display one or more of the following signs: - Unengaged from previously enjoyable activities - Trouble sleeping - Easily agitated - Display trauma signs (fidgeting, rocking back and forth, stuttering, avoiding eye contact, etc.) - Having unexplained cuts, scars, bruising, etc. - Sudden weight loss - Distances themselves from loved ones - Unsafe living conditions - Show signs of being off of their medication - Unpaid bills ## **How to Help a Victim of Elder Abuse** ![older woman crying](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jeremy-wong-1iP2NFMaMHU-unsplash.jpg?width=300&name=jeremy-wong-1iP2NFMaMHU-unsplash.jpg)Like most abuse victims, many seniors who are being abused are too ashamed to tell someone about it or ask for help. If you notice someone showing any of the previously stated [signs of abuse](https://www.living50.com/blog/how-to-recognize-the-signs-of-elder-abuse), try talking to the person one-on-one about these signs to better understand their situation. Consider taking them to an adult protective services agency nearby. To find a local agency, visit the [Eldercare Locator](https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx) website. To learn more about how to help a victim of elder abuse or report abuse, see [The Administration for Community Living has a National Center on Elder Abuse](https://ncea.acl.gov) website. ### **How to Prevent Elder Abuse** To prevent elder abuse before it happens, some steps include: - Educate yourself and others about how to recognize elder abuse. - Check-in often on seniors that have few friends and family members. - Research the signs of elder abuse and how they differ from the normal aging process. - Listen to older adults to understand their challenges and provide support. - Know the policies of senior living facilities to better understand a patient’s rights. - Find out if a facility has been accused of elder abuse in the past. [![Planning and Paying for Long-Term Care: What Are My Options?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7364579/interactive-131296267099.png)](https://www.living50.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLI8zAmQIK83ZEIvEB2yI3oTnOFi6a45Gs0T%2B38%2B%2BWdXy2QkkVyyBhRNo48cTLayVsBD1JcZZ9cOeaaEswjb%2F30PMOY2ChimPo4yjwdqJ1u%2FeJ9LiTFKKvPg%2BD3H6i0gfIyIdv4f%2FLj4TomrfIDgMv%2FlG00HYmOji3Jk1HscYXtlmmG2rg4u2CF9ZF84qFgdR1cCvtfOMB05C3xSSfZxTaKAysj2Hg%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=131296267099&portalId=7364579) calendar icon May 10, 2021 · Reading time 3 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.living50.com/blog/elder-abuse-identification-and-prevention&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.living50.com/blog/elder-abuse-identification-and-prevention&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.living50.com/blog/elder-abuse-identification-and-prevention&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.living50.com/blog/elder-abuse-identification-and-prevention&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) --- [![Olivia Trout](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/olivia%20trout%20headshot.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=olivia%20trout%20headshot.jpg)](https://www.living50.com/blog/author/olivia-trout) ### [Olivia Trout](https://www.living50.com/blog/author/olivia-trout) - [What Is Music Therapy? And What Are the Benefits?](https://www.living50.com/blog/what-is-music-therapy-and-what-are-the-benefits) - [10 Hot Weather Safety Tips](https://www.living50.com/blog/10-hot-weather-safety-tips-for-older-adults) - [5 Ways to Safely Store Your Personal Information](https://www.living50.com/blog/5-ways-to-safely-store-your-personal-information) - [Discovering Your Roots: 11 Ways To Connect With Your Heritage](https://www.living50.com/blog/discovering-roots-connect-heritage) ![How to Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/How%20to%20Recognize%20the%20Signs%20of%20Elder%20Abuse-1.jpg?width=600&name=How%20to%20Recognize%20the%20Signs%20of%20Elder%20Abuse-1.jpg) [Health](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/health)[Care](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/care)[Safety](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/safety)[Community Article](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/community-article)[Senior Living](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/senior-living) ## [How to Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse](https://www.living50.com/blog/how-to-recognize-the-signs-of-elder-abuse) Unfortunately, elder abuse is a pervasive problem in this day and age. [According to the World...](https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2017-abuse-of-older-people-on-the-rise-1-in-6-affected) Oct 14, 2021Reading time 4 ![What is Elder Law?](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/What%20is%20Elder%20Law%3F.jpg?width=600&name=What%20is%20Elder%20Law?.jpg) [Lifestyle](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/lifestyle)[Money](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/money)[Care](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/care) ## [What is Elder Law?](https://www.living50.com/blog/what-is-elder-law) Elder law focuses on the needs of older adults from a variety of angles. This specialty emerged... Mar 15, 2021Reading time 4 ![Talking to Your Aging Parents About Money: Part 1](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Plain%201024x512/Copy%20of%20Talking%20to%20Your%20Aging%20Parents%20About%20Money%20Part%201-1.jpg?width=600&name=Copy%20of%20Talking%20to%20Your%20Aging%20Parents%20About%20Money%20Part%201-1.jpg) [Lifestyle](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/lifestyle)[Money](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/money)[At Home](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/at-home)[Care](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/care)[RetireSmart](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/retiresmart)[Relationships](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/relationships)[Managing Money](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/managing-money)[Family](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/family) ## [Talking to Your Aging Parents About Money: Part 1](https://www.living50.com/blog/talking-to-your-aging-parents-about-money-part-1) Most adults with aging parents rarely look forward to raising the subject of their elders' money.... Mar 01, 2021Reading time 4 ![Depression in Older Adults: How to Recognize the Signs](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Plain%201024x512/Copy%20of%20Depression%20in%20Older%20Adults%20How%20to%20Recognize%20the%20Signs-1.jpg?width=600&name=Copy%20of%20Depression%20in%20Older%20Adults%20How%20to%20Recognize%20the%20Signs-1.jpg) [Lifestyle](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/lifestyle)[Health](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/health)[Mindset](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/mindset)[Care](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/care)[Safety](https://www.living50.com/blog/tag/safety) ## [Depression in Older Adults: How to Recognize the Signs](https://www.living50.com/blog/depression-in-older-adults-how-to-recognize-the-signs) Depression is a mental health disorder that affects 15%–20% of adults older than age 65 in the... Aug 10, 2021Reading time 3 ##### [![Living50+](https://www.living50.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_horizontal_White-1-1.png?width=200&height=117&name=Logo_horizontal_White-1-1.png)](https://www.living50.com)   ##### QUICK LINKS - [Blog](https://www.living50.com/blog) - [eBooks](https://www.living50.com/ebooks-and-more) - [Videos](https://www.living50.com/videos) - [Subscribe](https://www.living50.com/subscribe) **MORE** [Contact](https://www.living50.com/contact) [Privacy](https://www.living50.com/privacy-policy) --- © 2024 Living50+ | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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