Abuse in later life is the willful abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of an older adult age 50 or older perpetrated by someone in an ongoing, trust-based relationship with the victim (i.e., spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver).

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Facts about abuse in later life

• Every year, approximately 4 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological and/or other forms of abuse and neglect.

• Older adults who require assistance with daily life activities are at increased risk of being emotionally abused or financially exploited.

• Approximately 50% of older adults with dementia are mistreated or abused.

• An estimated 13.5% of older adults have suffered emotional abuse since the age of 60.

• Victims of elder financial abuse lost an estimated $2.9 billion in 2011.

• 76.1% of physical abuse toward older adults is perpetrated by a family member.

• Most elder sexual abuse cases involve female victims and male perpetrators.

• Only one out of every 24 cases of elder abuse is reported.

• Only 15.5% of elder sexual abuse is reported to police.

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Questions to ask if you think you’re being harmed

• Have family or friends expressed concern about your relationship?

• Are your children, friends, or other family members afraid to visit you?

• Are you concerned that someone may be harming or controlling you but don’t know where to get help?

 

Does a spouse, partner, family member, caregiver, or other person:

• Try to limit the amount of time you spend with friends and family or on the phone or internet?

• Scare you and make you feel fearful?

• Tell you that can never do anything right?

• Yell at you or tell you that you are worthless or no good?

• Make you feel as if you need to tip-toe around to prevent an outburst of anger?

• Make you do things you don’t want to do?

• Threaten to put you in a nursing home if you do not do what they want?

• Touched you or forced you to do sexual things you do not want to do?

• Take money or possessions from you without your permission?

• Refuse to provide care or provide care in a way that is hurtful?

• Throw or break items that are important to you?

• Threaten to harm you in anyway?

• Hit, push, pinch, strangle, or slap you?

• Threaten to kill you?​