Violence Against Women - Resources by Groups

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Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is when older people are abused, neglected, and taken advantage of. Many victims are people who are older and frail and depend on others to meet their needs. Family members of the victim are responsible for most cases of elder abuse. Elder abuse can include:

physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse

financial exploitation (using the resources of an older person, without his or her consent, for someone else's benefit)

neglect

But abuse does not have to be a part of growing older. You can take steps to protect yourself. Choose someone you trust to help you make important decisions about your health care, living arrangements, and finances. Try to stay involved in matters that directly affect you. Learn about the signs of elder abuse, so you can help protect the elderly people in your life.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, seek help from other family members and friends or community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk to a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt.

Get Help for Elder Abuse

Protect your loved ones from abuse. Make sure they get the care and services they need. Every case of elder abuse should be reported to the local authority in your area. Reporting procedures differ in each state, but a good place to start is by looking in your area phone book for numbers of an agency or department on aging.

Many states have 24-hour toll-free numbers for receiving confidential reports of abuse. You can get more information on elder abuse from the National Center on Elder Abuse. For help with locating elder care services, call the Administration on Aging nationwide toll-free Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

When an elder is in immediate danger, it is best to call 911 or the local police.

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. Get immediate help and support.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-799-SAFE (7233) and 800-787-3224 (TTY). Spanish speakers are available. When you call, you will first hear a recording and may have to hold. Hotline staff offer crisis intervention and referrals. If requested, they connect women to shelters and can send out written information.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-656-4673. When you call, you will hear a menu and can choose #1 to talk to a counselor. You will then be connected to a counselor in your area who can help you. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Additional Information on Elder Abuse:

Publications

Age Page: Crime and Older People - This fact sheet discusses fraud, identity theft, and elder abuse and explains what you can do to protect yourself from these crimes.

http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/crime.asp

Elder Abuse Prevention - This publication gives information on the prevalence of elder abuse, what types of abuse are common, and what the Administration on Aging is doing to combat this problem.

http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Elder_Rights/Elder_Abuse/Elder_Abuse.aspx

Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions (Copyright © American Psychological Association) - This online publication provides information on the signs of elder abuse. It explains why elder abuse may occur, ways to prevent it, and what to do if elder abuse is suspected. A list of resources is also provided at the end of the publication.

http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/eldabuse.html

http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Find_Help/Help_Hotline.aspx

http://www.preventelderabuse.org/help/help.html

Major Types of Elder Abuse (Copyright © NCEA) - This publication provides information on the many different types of elder abuse, which can include: physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial or material exploitation. It also contains information on elderly "self-neglect" as a form of abuse.

http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/FAQ/Basics/Types_Of_Abuse.aspx

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated September 1, 2007.