Elder Maltreatment as a Serious Problem

Thousands of elderly are abused, neglected, or exploited each year, although exact numbers remain unknown in part because of a lack of reporting. For every reported case of elder abuse, authorities estimate that approximately 24 cases go unreported.²⁰
Many elderly, especially those who depend on others to help them meet their basic needs, face maltreatment by spouses, family members, personal acquaintances, professionals in positions of trust, or opportunistic strangers who prey on the vulnerable.²¹
Nearly 1 in 10 older adults will experience some form of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in their lifetime. Older adults experiencing abuse have a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who have not been mistreated.³

Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Elder Abuse: Know the Basics Elder Maltreatment as a Serious Problem