Elder Abuse Claims

Frequently Asked Elder Abuse Questions

Q:What is elder abuse?

A: Elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.

Q:What makes an older adult vulnerable to abuse?

A: Social isolation and mental impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can make an older person more vulnerable to abuse. But studies also show that living with a caregiver or friend may increase the chances for abuse to occur. A history of domestic violence may also make a senior more susceptible to abuse.

Q:Who are the abusers of older people?

A: According to a report from the National Center on Elder Abuse, A Response to the Abuse of Vulnerable Elders: The 2000 Survey of State Adult Protective Services, for several years, data showed that adult children were the most common abusers of older people. However, recent information shows that spouses are now the most common perpetrators.

Q:How many people suffer from elder abuse?

A: According to the 2003 federal report Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in an Aging America, between 1 million and 2 million Americans age 65 and older have been abused by someone on whom they depended for care and protection. The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates there may be as many as 5 million victims of elder abuse every year.

Q:How many of these cases are reported?

A: According to several surveys, fewer than 20 percent of elder abuse incidences are reported to authorities.

Q:What types of laws and legislation are there to prevent elder abuse?

A: State laws vary, but increasingly, state attorneys general offices and law enforcement have stepped up prosecution efforts. Nationally, The Elder Justice Coalition is working to help pass an act that would provide federal leadership to reduce elder abuse. In addition, Title VII of the Older Americans Act, enacted in 1992, helps fund prevention of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

If you or a loved one has suffered elder abuse, please call or email our experienced elder abuse lawyers today. We'll evaluate your claim for free and help you get the justice you deserve.

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