The Peninsula Elder Abuse Forensic Center. (PEAFC)

Recognize & Report

To report suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call your local departments of social services, the 24-hour, toll-free APS hotline at (888) 832-3858

Understanding the Issue

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse occurs when an action or a failure to act causes harm or places an adult age 60 or older at risk. Abuse can take many forms and often involves someone the individual knows or trusts, such as a caregiver, family member, or service provider.

Elder abuse can occur in homes, community settings, and care environments. It affects people of all backgrounds and may involve more than one type of harm occurring at the same time.

Types of Elder Abuse

Elder mistreatment can take many forms. Understanding these types can help individuals and professionals recognize concerns and take appropriate action.

Physical Abuse

The use of force that causes pain, injury, or physical impairment. This may include hitting, pushing, improper use of restraints, or misuse of medication.

Physical Abuse

The use of force that causes pain, injury, or physical impairment. This may include hitting, pushing, improper use of restraints, or misuse of medication.

Physical Abuse

The use of force that causes pain, injury, or physical impairment. This may include hitting, pushing, improper use of restraints, or misuse of medication.

Sexual Abuse

Any non-consensual sexual contact or interaction, including unwanted touching or sexual activity with someone unable to give consent.

Sexual Abuse

Any non-consensual sexual contact or interaction, including unwanted touching or sexual activity with someone unable to give consent.

Sexual Abuse

Any non-consensual sexual contact or interaction, including unwanted touching or sexual activity with someone unable to give consent.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Actions that cause fear, distress, or emotional harm, such as threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or verbal harassment.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Actions that cause fear, distress, or emotional harm, such as threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or verbal harassment.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Actions that cause fear, distress, or emotional harm, such as threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or verbal harassment.

Financial Exploitation

The misuse or theft of money, property, or assets, including coercion, deception, misuse of power of attorney, or financial scams.

Financial Exploitation

The misuse or theft of money, property, or assets, including coercion, deception, misuse of power of attorney, or financial scams.

Financial Exploitation

The misuse or theft of money, property, or assets, including coercion, deception, misuse of power of attorney, or financial scams.

Abandonment

The desertion of an individual by someone responsible for providing care or supervision.

Abandonment

The desertion of an individual by someone responsible for providing care or supervision.

Abandonment

The desertion of an individual by someone responsible for providing care or supervision.

Self-Neglect

When an individual is unable to meet essential needs due to physical or cognitive impairment, such as hygiene, health care, nutrition, or financial management.

Self-Neglect

When an individual is unable to meet essential needs due to physical or cognitive impairment, such as hygiene, health care, nutrition, or financial management.

Self-Neglect

When an individual is unable to meet essential needs due to physical or cognitive impairment, such as hygiene, health care, nutrition, or financial management.

Neglect

The failure of a caregiver to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, or personal safety.

Neglect

The failure of a caregiver to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, or personal safety.

Neglect

The failure of a caregiver to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, or personal safety.

Key Facts

Understanding Risk and Prevalence

Elder abuse can affect individuals in different situations and settings. Understanding who may be at greater risk and how common abuse is can help with early recognition and prevention.

Who Is at Greater Risk?

Elder abuse can happen to anyone, but certain factors may increase vulnerability. These include chronic physical or mental health conditions, cognitive impairment, social isolation, dependence on others for care or finances, and caregiver stress or lack of support. Abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it.

Who Is at Greater Risk?

Elder abuse is more common than many realize. Research shows that one in ten older adults living in the community experience abuse. Risk may increase during periods of isolation or stress, and abuse may occur once or repeatedly over time.

Who Is at Greater Risk?

Education and Awareness

Understanding Elder Abuse and Ageism

Learning more about elder abuse and ageism can help individuals recognize warning signs and understand how different systems work together to respond.

The Helping Elders Access Resources (HEAR) training video, developed by the Virginia Center on Aging, provides an overview of elder abuse, ageism, and the importance of connecting individuals to appropriate support and services. The video is designed for both community members and professionals.

Watch the HEAR video →

Taking Action

How to Make a Report

If you suspect abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, it is important to report your concerns as soon as possible. You do not need proof. Reporting allows trained professionals to assess the situation and determine appropriate next steps.

Recognize a Concern

Pay attention to warning signs or changes that may indicate abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

Contact Adult Protective Services

Report concerns to your local Department of Social Services or call the 24-hour Adult Protective Services hotline at (888) 832-3858.

Submit an Online Report

You may also submit a report online through Adult Protective Services using the information you have available.

Call 911 in an Emergency

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

If You Are Concerned, Take the Next Step

If something does not feel right, trust your instincts and reach out. Reporting concerns supports individual safety and helps strengthen a coordinated community response.

sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Elder abuse definitions and prevention guidance

Elder Justice Act.
Federal legislation addressing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

University of Southern California Elder Justice Initiative.
What Is Elder Abuse? https://elderjustice.usc.edu/what-is-elder-abuse/

National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
Signs of Elder Abuse. December 2023.

Virginia Center on Aging. Helping Elders Access Resources (HEAR).
https://chp.catalog.vcu.edu/courses/elder-justice-and-ageism-virginia-helping-elders-access-resources-hear

Knowledge. Support. Action.