What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, caregiver neglect, and self-neglect. Elder abuse can occur in an older adult’s home, a caregiver’s home, an assisted living residence, a nursing home, or another setting. The person responsible may be a family member, intimate partner, caregiver, friend, or another person in a position of trust.

In Massachusetts, an elder is defined as a person age 60 or older.

Examples of Elder Abuse:

  • Physical: Hitting, slapping, kicking, pinching, biting, punching, restraining. Over medicating or under medicating.
  • Sexual: Unwanted touching and/or sexual interaction with adults who lack ability to give consent. Sexual harassment or other unwanted sexual behavior.
  • Emotional/Psychological: Verbal assaults, insults, or threats. Isolation and controlling communication/activities.
  • Neglect: Depriving individual of adequate food, water, shelter and medicine.
  • Financial: Stealing individuals’ money and/or possessions. Coercing an individual to sign legal documents.
  • Self-neglect: Occurs when an older adult is unable or unwilling to meet their own basic needs

Elder abuse statistics

Elder abuse is often underreported, making it difficult to determine the full extent of the problem. Research from federal and state agencies shows that older adults can experience physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and self-neglect.

  • Approximately 1 in 10 older adults living at home experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that this estimate may understate the true prevalence because many cases are never reported.
  • Self-neglect represents a significant portion of elder abuse reports in Massachusetts. In a Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor review of the state’s Protective Services Program, approximately 52% of alleged abuse incidents during the audit period involved self-neglect, 20% involved neglect, 19% involved abuse, and 9% involved financial exploitation.
  • Massachusetts received 44,384 alleged elder-abuse incidents during the period examined in a state audit, representing 14,682 unduplicated individuals. The audit examined the state’s Adult Protective Services system from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017. Because this is historical data, it should not be interpreted as current annual reporting.
  • Older adults may face increased risk of abuse when they depend on others for care or assistance. The CDC identifies individual, relationship, community, and societal factors that can influence the risk of violence against older adults.

Warning signs of Elder Abuse

Warning signs can vary depending on the type of abuse. Some potential indicators include:

  • Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, fractures, or other injuries
  • Injuries that do not match the explanation provided
  • Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or personality
  • Increased fear or anxiety around a particular person
  • Social withdrawal or isolation
  • Poor hygiene or sudden changes in appearance
  • Unexplained weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
  • Untreated medical conditions or missed medications
  • Sudden changes in financial circumstances
  • Unpaid bills despite having sufficient resources
  • Missing personal belongings, money, or medications
  • Changes to wills, powers of attorney, bank accounts, or other financial documents under suspicious circumstances
  • An older adult appearing fearful or reluctant to speak in the presence of a caregiver

One warning sign alone does not necessarily mean abuse is occurring. However, multiple signs or a significant change in an older adult’s physical, emotional, or financial well-being may warrant further attention.

Learn more

For additional information about elder abuse, prevention, research, and reporting:

Concerned about an older adult:

🚨 Immediate danger: 911

Elder Abuse Hotline
1-800-922-2275
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

For suspected abuse or neglect involving a person residing in a nursing home or other long-term-care facility, contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 1-800-462-5540.

Anyone can report suspected abuse of an adult age 60 or older, and reports may be made anonymously. Massachusetts Adult Protective Services investigates cases involving adults age 60 or older who live in the community.