Last updated: November 7, 2024
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Key Points

Many older adults require care and are vulnerable to violence perpetrated by a caregiver or someone they trust.
More research is needed to uncover the causes of, and solutions to, violence against older adults.

What Is Older Person Abuse?

Older person abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. An older adult is defined as someone aged 60 years or older.

The abuse occurs at the hands of a caregiver or other trusted person. Common types of abuse include:

Physical Abuse

Illness, injury, functional impairment, or death resulting from the intentional use of physical force.
Examples: hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, or restraining.

Sexual Abuse

Forced or unwanted sexual interaction.
Examples: unwanted sexual contact, penetration, or non-contact acts such as sexual harassment or coerced nudity.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Verbal or nonverbal behaviors that inflict anguish, fear, or distress.
Examples: humiliation, threats, intimidation, isolation, or verbal assaults.

Neglect

The failure to meet an older adult's basic needs.
These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and essential medical care.

Financial Abuse

The illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of money, benefits, property, or assets for the benefit of someone other than the older adult.
Examples: forging signatures, coercing changes to wills or powers of attorney, or misusing joint bank accounts.

For comprehensive definitions, please refer to Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Core Data Elements.

Quick Facts and Statistics

Population Trends and Data Limitations

The older adult population in the United States is growing faster than younger populations.
Available data likely underestimate the scope of the problem because:
Nonfatal injury data are limited to older adults treated in emergency departments
Cases treated by other providers or not seeking treatment are not captured
Many cases go unreported due to fear, inability to communicate, or dependence on the perpetrator

Prevalence and Incidence

Approximately 1 in 10 older adults living at home experience abuse, including neglect and exploitation.
From 2002 to 2016:
More than 643,000 older adults were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assaults
Over 19,000 homicides of older adults occurred

Demographic Patterns

Group	Findings
Sex	Men had higher rates of both nonfatal assaults and homicides compared to women
Trends in Nonfatal Assaults	Rates increased more than 75% among men (2002–2016) and more than 35% among women (2007–2016)
Homicide Trends	Estimated homicide rate for men increased 7% from 2010 to 2016
Race/Ethnicity	Non-Hispanic Black or African American persons, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Hispanic or Latino persons had higher homicide rates compared to non-Hispanic White persons (2002–2016)

Firearm-Related Homicides

Overall and firearm-specific older adult homicide rates increased between 2014 and 2017.
Of 6,188 victims studied, 62% were male.
Perpetrator relationship:
Intimate partner in 39% of firearm homicides
Intimate partner in 12% of non-firearm homicides
Common contexts for firearm homicides:
Familial or intimate partner problems
Robbery or burglary
Arguments
Illness-related circumstances (e.g., homicide perpetrated to end suffering of an ill victim; victim or perpetrator had illness or mental health condition)

Economic Impact

Assault injuries to older adults in the United States cost nearly $33 billion in 2022.
Between 2015 and 2022:
Rate of nonfatal assaults increased by 31%
Rate of homicides increased by 26%

Outcomes of Abuse

Abuse can have significant physical, emotional, and social consequences for older adults.

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Fear, anxiety, and depression
Problems with trust and increased wariness of others
Social withdrawal and isolation
Loss of dignity and self-worth

Physical Effects

Minor injuries: cuts, scratches, bruises, welts
Serious injuries: head trauma, broken bones, chronic pain, functional impairment
Worsening of pre-existing health conditions
Increased risk of premature death

Long-Term Consequences

Reduced quality of life
Increased healthcare utilization
Greater likelihood of institutionalization
Heightened vulnerability to future abuse

Prevention

Violence against older adults is preventable. Effective prevention requires understanding and addressing factors that increase risk or promote protection.

How Individuals Can Help Prevent Abuse

Listen actively: Understand the challenges older adults face and offer consistent support.
Educate yourself and others: Learn to recognize signs of abuse and know how to report concerns.
Distinguish abuse from aging: Understand how signs of maltreatment differ from normal age-related changes.
Check in regularly: Maintain contact with older adults who may have limited social connections.
Address substance use: Encourage or assist caregivers or older adults with drug or alcohol problems to seek appropriate help.

Supporting Caregivers

Caregiver stress and burnout can increase abuse risk. Support strategies include:
- Respite care through friends, family, or local relief programs
- Adult day care services
- Counseling or support groups
- Training on safe caregiving techniques and stress management

Evidence-Informed Prevention Planning

While knowledge about effective interventions is growing, most prevention strategies have not yet undergone rigorous evaluation. In the absence of proven approaches, program planners may consider:
- Applying the Principles of Prevention: What Do Prevention Practitioners Need to Know About What Works
- What Works in Prevention: Principles of Effective Prevention Programs

Reporting Abuse and Finding Services

If you suspect elder abuse or need support services for an older adult:

The Eldercare Locator

Website: eldercare.acl.gov
Phone: 1-800-677-1116
Service: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects callers to local resources for reporting abuse, finding legal assistance, accessing caregiving support, and locating protective services.

When to Report Immediately

Contact local law enforcement or emergency services if:
- An older adult is in immediate danger
- There is evidence of physical or sexual assault
- Financial exploitation is actively occurring

Related Resources

CDC Resources

External Resources

National Center on Elder Abuse
Administration for Community Living
Adult Protective Services by State

About CDC's Work on Abuse of Older Persons

The abuse of older persons is a serious public health problem in the United States. CDC works to:
- Understand the scope, causes, and consequences of elder abuse through surveillance and research
- Identify risk and protective factors at individual, relationship, community, and societal levels
- Develop and evaluate prevention strategies
- Provide data and resources to support communities, practitioners, and policymakers

This content is adapted from the official CDC website. For the most current information, please visit cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse.