The 7 most common types of elderly abuse include: physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, self neglect, abandonment.
Call the police or 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect a senior is in immediate, life-threatening danger.
If the danger is not immediate, but you suspect that abuse has occurred or is occurring, please report your suspicions to the manager of the senior community where the victim is living, or to the home health care agency manager which is providing care to the victim in their home. If they ignore the abuse, they are complicit in it.
The next step is to relay your concerns to the victim’s doctor, attorney, trusted family member or friend, local county’s adult protective services, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, or the police.
You can reach the Eldercare Locator by telephone at 1-800-677-1116. Specially trained operators will refer you to a local agency that can help. The Eldercare Locator is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
You can reach The National Adult Protective Services Association at 833-372-8311.
The same intervention can be taken if you suspect a family member is the abuser.
The laws in most states require helping professions in the front lines -- such as doctors and home health providers -- to report suspected abuse or neglect. These professionals are called mandated reporters. Under the laws of eight states, "any person" is required to report a suspicion of mistreatment.
Other Resources:
Adult and Long-Term Care Facility Maltreatment Hotline: (800)-482-8059;
Elder Abuse Hotline: (800)-332-4443 or (800)-482-8049;
