What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is the physical, mental, emotional, sexual harm, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of an older adult by someone in a trusting relationship with the victim (National Clearinghouse on Abuse Later in Life). The abuse or neglect may be perpetrated by someone who is a spouse or intimate partner, adult child or another family member, or caretaker. One challenging aspect of elder abuse is that victims may feel obligated to protect and care for the person harming them or that they deserve the abuse, particularly if that person is a child or grandchild.
Elder abuse is primarily motivated by power and control, similar to domestic violence; however, it can also be motivated by greed and financial benefit.
To learn more, visit the National Clearinghouse on Abuse Later in Life (NCALL).
Impact of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse may be experienced similarly to domestic violence, with a couple of notable differences. First is the likelihood of financial motivation from the abusive person–more financial abuse tactics may be used, or the abusive person may participate in fraud or scam the elder for access to financial resources. Elders may often feel an added weight of guilt put on them by adult children trying to coerce access or authority over financial resources.
Elders may also experience heightened psychological abuse. Abusive people may do things to make the elder feel they are going crazy, or forgetting things. Abusive people often capitalize on the fact that elders may already be fearful of experiencing the natural impacts of aging. Abusive people may also try to isolate the elder or manipulate them by limiting access to family or other loved ones. It’s particularly complicated when the abusive person is their child or grandchild–the elder may feel extremely conflicted about seeking help if the abusive person is one of these relationships. Call our 24-hour Crisis and Support line at (888) 654-2288 or message our confidential chat to connect with services.
Did you Know?
Research estimates that approximately one in ten older adults living in their homes experience elder abuse each year (Acierno et al., 2010; Beach et al., 2010; Lachs et al., 2011).
In the majority of abuse in later life cases the perpetrator is the victim’s family member or intimate partner (Acierno et al., 2010; Lachs et al., 2011).