June Is Elder Abuse Awareness Month

This National Elder Abuse Awareness Month and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15, learn types and signs of elder abuse, plus actions everyone can take to help support and protect older adults. 

What Is It?

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or other trusted person that causes or creates a risk of harm to an adult who is 60 or older. These acts or failures are against criminal and civil law. 

Who Is Affected?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares that abuse—including neglect and exploitation—is experienced by about 1 in 10 older adults who live at home. And the National Institute on Aging notes elder abuse can happen to anyone, and be caused by anyone, in any setting. 

What Forms Can It Take?

Elder abuse can take many forms, as outlined in these situations and examples from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS): 

• Physical—hitting, kicking, burning, dragging, over- or undermedicating
• Sexual—unwanted sexual contact, sexual exploitation, forced viewing of pornography
• Abandonment—desertion or willful forsaking by anyone having responsibility for care
• Isolation—preventing the individual from receiving mail, telephone calls or visitor
• Financial—theft, misuse of funds or property, extortion, duress, fraud
• Neglect—failure to provide food, clothing, shelter or healthcare for an individual under one’s care when the means to do so are available
• Self-Neglect—failure to provide food, clothing, shelter or healthcare for oneself
• Mental Suffering—verbal assaults, threats, causing fear
• Abduction—removal from this state and restraint from returning to this state of any elder or dependent adult

What Are Warning Signs?

CDSS also shares examples of key warning signs:

• The older adult’s explanation for an injury is inconsistent with its possible cause
• There are recent changes in the older or dependent adult’s thinking (seeming confused or disoriented)
• The caregiver is angry, indifferent or aggressive toward the older or dependent adult
• Personal belongings, papers or credit cards are missing
• The older adult appears hesitant to talk openly
• There’s a lack of necessities, such as food, water, utilities, medications and medical care
• The caregiver has a history of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior or family violence
• Another person’s name is added to the older adult’s bank account or important documents, or frequent checks are made out to cash

What Can I Do?

• If you or a loved one is at home, in a hospital, or at risk of or experiencing homelessness—Call CDSS’ Adult Protective Services 24-hour hotline at (833) 401-0832; enter your ZIP code when prompted to be connected to your county office.
• If you or a loved one is in a long-term care facility—Contact the California Department of Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman CRISIS line, available around the clock: (800) 231-4024.
• If the older adult is outside California—The U.S. Administration on Aging Eldercare Locator offers an array of services for older adults, including elder abuse reporting and resources. Call (800) 677-1116 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
• Find out more—Get additional information and resources, including National Elder Abuse Awareness Month materials, via the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging.  

Remember: If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.

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